Punjab’s (illegal) mining story: A ban in place, but digging goes on

Bhallan village in Punjab settles into quiet by nightfall, residents retiring to their homes. However, the peace is shattered by the roar of machinery, scooping sand and gravel from River Swan and depositing it in trucks. When morning arrives, the area is marked with fresh tyre tracks, piles of excavated material, and deep pits gouged into the riverbanks.

Tikka Yashvir Chand, an activist fighting illegal mining since 2018, observes this ongoing activity through drone footage. "They return every night. Soon after midnight, we can hear loud sounds," he says, pointing to the machinery marks on the sand. The excavation has eroded riverbanks as much as 100 feet deep, once lush grasslands now scarred.

Despite a nationwide ban on desilting at 85 river sites in Punjab, illegal mining persists. On October 7, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) extended the ban while hearing petitions alleging that desilting was a cover for mining. The government maintains the ban was triggered by concerns of flood prevention, but Tikka argues the ban is ineffective.

He witnessed ongoing mining operations at Plahta village, including a poclain machine and a tipper in action during daylight hours. In the Algran-Sainsowal zone, at least 20 stone-crushing units operate along both riverbanks, untouched by the ban.

Neighbouring Taraf Majari has successfully protected its riverbanks through a village-level ban on excavation. Residents complain of noise, air pollution, road damage, accidents, and falling groundwater levels due to mining. They fear the aftermath of deep excavations and the impact of heavy vehicles traversing their villages. Hardev Singh, president of the Ilaqa Sangharsh Committee, links excavation to declining groundwater levels, noting a drop from 18 feet to 40 feet.

The government counters by citing a supply gap, stating that only 16 of Punjab's 33 permitted mining clusters are operational, leaving a large demand unsatisfied. Punjab's Mines Minister, Barinder Goyal, denies fresh illegal mining, citing 247 FIRs and a penalty of over Rs 7.92 crore imposed under the Punjab Minor Mineral Rules, 2013.