Deputy commissioner (DC) Himanshu Jain has ordered a clampdown on mining operations and mineral transportation across the district, putting police and mining officials under direct scrutiny, warning of strict action for lapses. The district administration, in its order, cited a series of strong observations made by the Punjab and Haryana high court while hearing three petitions filed by residents and panchayats of villages affected by alleged illegal mining along the Sutlej belt.During the floods last year that affected several villages, residents had blamed rampant illegal mining for their ordeal. (HT File)It also mentioned about mounting complaints from residents and gram panchayats of villages, including Boothgarh, Gadapur, Gaunsgarh and Garhi Togar, who alleged rampant illegal mining and large-scale damage to village roads and public infrastructure caused by heavy tipper traffic.According to the administration, the court rejected the claims that the activity was merely “desilting” and observed that the scale of excavation appeared to be illegal mining. The court also held that the DC and the district mining officer would be personally accountable if further instances of illegal mining were reported.During the floods last year which affected several villages in the district, residents had blamed rampant illegal mining for their ordeal.Complete ban on Burj Tehal Dass routeActing on the court’s directions, the DC, in his orders issued in June 2, called for an immediate halt to all transportation, storage and movement of sand, earth or minerals originating from the controversial Burj Tehal Dass desilting site until further orders. Any violation will invite strict legal action, the order stated.NHAI vehicles confined to highway corridorThe order also places restrictions on transportation linked to multiple desilting sites allotted to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for the Ludhiana-Ropar highway project. The administration clarified that vehicles engaged in transporting material from these sites must remain confined to designated highway routes and project corridors. Entry into village roads, internal roads and habitations has been prohibited. Any movement outside authorised routes will be presumed to be illegal transportation of minerals and treated accordingly.24x7 mining checkpoint near Meharban police stationThe administration has established a permanent 24-hour checkpoint on Rahon Road outside Meharban police station. Every vehicle carrying minerals passing through the district will be verified. The checkpoint will be monitored through continuous video recording with timestamped footage, which must be submitted weekly to the DC’s office.SHOs, engineers face personal accountabilitySHOs posted along the Sutlej river belt and officials of the drainage department have been directed to maintain constant surveillance of mining sites. If illegal mining or transportation continues undetected, the concerned SHO and executive engineer could face departmental as well as legal action.The Commissioner of Police has also been instructed to maintain police pickets at vulnerable access points, seize offending vehicles and register FIRs against violators.Survey ordered to assess road damageThe public works department has been directed to conduct a survey of roads damaged by heavy vehicles and submit repair estimates by June 10. Simultaneously, the ADC(development) will assess damage to sewerage systems, drainage channels, water supply lines and other civic infrastructure. The reports will form the basis for recovering restoration costs from mining operators and leaseholders.Villages asked to keep vigilSarpanches of affected villages have also been enlisted in the enforcement mechanism. They have been directed to maintain strict vigilance and immediately report any prohibited mining or transportation activity to the police and mining authorities. The order will remain in force until further directions from the HC, the administration stated.Admn cites court ordersThe administration mentioned in its order that the HC had on May 25 directed the DCs and mining officers of of the concerned districts to personally monitor the affected areas. It said that the HC had on May 27 rejected an explanation that the activity was merely desilting, observing that the scale of excavation and damage did not remotely suggest a desilting exercise. It warned the Ludhiana DC and the district mining officer that they would be held personally liable if any further instance of illegal mining was brought to the court’s notice.