NGT directs CPCB to analyse satellite images to assess illegal sand mining near damaged Swan River bridge – India Legal

The Nationwide Inexperienced Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Central Air pollution Management Board (CPCB) to acquire satellite tv for pc photographs of the stretch involved of final 5 years, excluding the monsoons, analyse them and verify the extent of unlawful sand mining, particularly 1000-metres on each side of the bridge on the Swan river which was broken in July 2023.

The Bench of Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Justice Sudhir Agarwal, Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi and Dr. Afroz Ahmad heard a Suo Motu matter registered on the premise of the report referring to the closure of the bridge on the Swan river related Nangal with Garhshankar attributable to indiscriminate unlawful sand mining within the space involved.

The studies dated 24.08.2024 have been filed by the Punjab Air pollution Management Board (PPCB) and Central Air pollution Management Board (CPCB) stating that the positioning was inspected in July 2024 and no unlawful sand mining was observed.   

It’s undisputed that in July 2024, the monsoon had already began leading to flooding of the realm. Therefore, there was no chance of detecting any unlawful sand mining. Nevertheless, together with the report of the CPCB reveals that as many  as six FIRs had been registered in 2024 for unlawful mining and the main points of impounded automobiles reveal that even the Poclain machines had been used for the stated unlawful mining which was seized. 

The studies so filed by the PPCB and CPCB have been adopted by the Deputy Commissioner, Rupnagar.   

It’s not in dispute that by acquiring the satellite tv for pc photographs for the interval excluding the monsoon interval, the extent of unlawful mining within the space involved may be ascertained. 

“Therefore, we direct the CPCB to acquire the satellite tv for pc photographs of the stretch involved of final 5 years, excluding the monsoon interval, analyse them and verify the extent of unlawful sand mining specifically 1000 meter each facet of the bridge which was broken in July 2023,” the NGT directed, itemizing the matter on 04.12.2024.