Illegal Sand Mining Threatens Noida's Real Estate Construction
Illegal Sand Mining in India causes environment troubles.
Rising Real Estate Development and Illegal Sand Mining
The fast-paced developments in the real estate industry are fueling illegal sand mining in Noida. Illegally mined sand is transported to construction sites on tractors, a common sight in Noida and Noida Extension.
Key Areas Under Suspicion
A senior police official explained that the villages near Noida Sector 79 and Sector-113 Noida are suspected to be hotbeds for illegal sand mining. These villages are close to many upcoming residential projects, including the rapidly developing Noida extension.
Environmental Impacts
Officials opined that open pits are the primary sources of sand mining in Noida. Large-scale sand extraction can cause significant environmental issues, such as soil erosion, which can lead to the ecological collapse of Noida as the area loses nutrient-rich upper layers of soil.
Inadequate Measures by Authorities
The Authority has not taken any serious measures to curb illegal sand mining. Officials believe that this activity has a political face now, as it is seen as a means to reduce construction costs, which are high.
Environmentalists' Concerns
Pointing to a similar issue that occurred at Konkan Coast, Dinesh Saha, a Noida-based environmentalist, warned that the same fate could befall Noida. He emphasized the need for awareness in Uttar Pradesh, particularly in Noida, to preserve the ecological balance.
Sand Mining Sources
Police sources reveal that illegal sand mining is not only taking place in Noida villages but also along the Yamuna river banks. From Kalindi Kunj, where Yamuna enters Noida, to Khaadar, the banks of Yamuna have been illegally mined for sand. Nearly 2000 acres of land have been mined along the river.
Licensed Companies
An official stated that only four companies have been given mining licenses. These companies are Okhla Sand Supply Company, Oriental Company, National Sand Supply Company, and Vaibhav Bhatia.
Previous Efforts to Tackle Sand Mining
Earlier, the police had taken various steps to stop sand mining. They even started a special 'mining squad.' These efforts were made to calm down the pressure from environmentalists. However, neither the police nor their squads have been capable of tackling this significant issue effectively.