Joda: NHAI is carrying out four-laning work of NH-215 in Keonjhar. During expansion of the road, huge quantities of manganese are being excavated at Ranasala ghat under Joda mining circle while the mines department is in deep slumber.
This has provided an opportune time for the mafia to take away the mineral at night easily. Manganese is transported in pick-up vans and other four wheelers to various parts of neighbouring Jharkhand while the mines department has failed to check the illegal activity.
The district level taskforce and the state level enforcement squad which are supposed to check mineral loot have become ineffective, locals alleged.
Availability of the valuable minerals on the surface of the soil indicates that huge amount of manganese lies hidden there underneath which need protection, experts said.
The two taskforces do not visit the mining areas to check irregularities, leading to huge loss of revenue to the government.
Surprisingly, the mines department is not aware of this development.
Sources said three truckloads of manganese have been transported from the NH expansion site at Ranasala. The project site is not far from the office of the Joda deputy director of mines and Joda police station.
Locals wondered how the department could not know of the mineral loot.
An official of the Joda mining circle said the department has got a tip-off about it three days ago. The department has kept a strict watch on the site, he said, adding manganese will soon be shifted elsewhere.
PNN