Jajpur: Although prohibitory orders under Section 144 has been in force at Dankari and Rahadpur to stop stone quarry activities in Dharmasala tehsil of Jajpur district since February 5, stone mafias have resumed mining operations from an old quarry near Ranibandhi minor irrigation project.
The tehsil administration had clamped Section 144 at number six and nine quarries of Rahadpur hill and put up closure notice at the site.
Movement of transport vehicles have been stopped by digging craters with the help of JCB machines. After the closure of two mines, stone mining resumed at the old mine with the support from a Zilla Parishad member.
Huge stones have been transported to various locations including Paradip, Dhamra and Rajnagar. While no permission has been granted by the Forest and Environment department or the district administration, indiscriminate mining and transportation is being carried out in broad daylight.
The mining activities have also created a detrimental effect on the Ranibandhi minor irrigation project set up in 1988. At the time of commission, it was estimated that 48 ha farmland in Rampei, Kaduamagur and other nearby villages would get irrigation.
But things changed for worse when mining of black stones started from Dankari hills. The irrigation has since then stopped. Due to random mining, the rain water that earlier used to flow down had been obstructed.
This apart, rampant mining has spelled doom for seasonal streams. These streams have dried up. As a result, the dam is not getting water, leaving the farmers in distress.
Assistant executive engineer of the project has mentioned this in his report that the dust flying from the hill because of black stone mining will be fatal for the dam.
Sources said Rs 8 lakh was sanctioned from critical fund in 2017-18 fiscal for the dam’s maintenance. The money was also spent. This apart, the project got grants from non-plan budget in two phases – Rs 2, 91, 179 and Rs 2, 07, 833 – in 2015-16 fiscal. And they were also spent on the dam.
Similarly, in 2017-18 fiscal the dam received Rs 9, 29, 000 from non-Plan budget. However, this amount is yet to be spent, sources added. Local farmers and villagers have expressed fear about the future of Ranibandhi dam.
When contacted, Dharmasala tehsildar in-charge Saroj Kumar Panda said inspection of all illegal quarries was underway. Action would soon be taken against them, he added.
PNN