Govt Mulls Revival of Traditional Quarrying at Identified Sites in Kashmir

Ziraat Times News Desk

Srinagar, June 18: Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Wednesday directed authorities to take prompt decisions on sand and stone quarrying and the lifting of loose material across Kashmir to ensure uninterrupted availability of construction material for the public.

The Deputy Chief Minister made these remarks while chairing a meeting to review the revival of customary mining activities and stone quarrying at identified locations across the Valley.

The meeting was attended by MLAs Justice (Retd) Hasnain Masoodi, Ahsan Ahmad Pardesi, Hilal Akbar Lone, Nizam-ud-Din Bhat, Javed Hassan Baig and Mushtaq Ahmad Guroo, besides Additional Chief Secretary, Mining Department, Director Geology and Mining, Director Finance Mining, Joint Directors and District Mineral Officers.

Reiterating the government’s commitment to curb illegal mining, Choudhary said restrictions on unlawful operations should not lead to shortages of construction material for the public.

He stressed the need for timely formulation of a comprehensive mining policy for Jammu and Kashmir to ensure optimum utilisation of mineral resources while safeguarding environmental interests. He also called for transparency in mining operations and directed officials to prevent illegal mining in all districts.

The Deputy Chief Minister emphasized effective royalty collection from companies engaged in mining activities and sought speedy disposal of pending penalties and court cases related to the sector.

Detailed discussions were held on reviving customary stone quarrying at identified sites, including Panthachowk in Srinagar and Sadrekoot Bala in Bandipora, along with other locations.

Choudhary underscored the importance of balancing developmental requirements with environmental sustainability and directed concerned departments to expedite the process of finalising modalities for regulated mining operations.

The meeting explored mechanisms for the structured revival of quarrying activities and outlined a roadmap aimed at ensuring public convenience while preserving ecological balance.

The Deputy Chief Minister directed all concerned departments to work in close coordination and ensure that decisions are taken in a transparent, environmentally responsible and people-centric manner. He also reiterated the need for expeditious disposal of mining-related penalty cases and litigation to facilitate smooth functioning of the department.