| File Note: |
It is submitted that the Executive Engineer, Department of Water Resources, Rupnagar was granted Environmental Clearance under the provisions of the EIA Notification dated 14.09.2006 issued by State Level Environmental Impact Assessment Authority vide EC Identification no. EC24B0107PB5648105N dated 15.04.2024 for carrying out minor minerals (boulder, gravel, sand) @ 62,772 TPA; 1,88,316 MT (including 33,803 MT already extracted) over the period of 3 years in an area of 6.84 Ha in the riverbed of River Sutlej, Village Malana, Tehsil Chamkaur Sahib District- Rupnagar, Punjab. The Environmental Clearance will be valid for a period of 30 years from the date of issuance of original Environmental Clearance or till the validity of contract period with the Mining Department, whichever is earlier, subject to the same terms and conditions as mentioned in the original EC along with special conditions.
Now, the project proponent has applied for fresh consent to operate under Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 under Red category for carrying out mining of minor minerals (sand) @ 62772 TPA from the river bed of river Sutlej in an area of 6.84 hectare in the revenue estate of Village Chandpur, Tehsil & District Rupnagar, Punjab along with the following documents:
• Copy of Environmental Clearance granted by SEIAA, Punjab dated 15.04.2024
• Route map/ Location Plan
• Mining Plan with Mine Closure Plan/ Sand Mining Project
• GST Certificate.
The project proponent has submitted Mining plan for the Malana Sand mining Plan was approved by Assistant Geologist, Punjab vide letter No. Glg/PB/MP/Malana/351 dated 04.02.2023.
The project proponent has deposited Rs. 1100/- vide R. no. 876807978 dated 22.05.2024 as consent fees under Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Rs. 1100/- vide R No. 777060024 dated 22.05.2024 as consent fees under Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. As per application form, the cost of project has been mentioned as Rs. 0.01 lacs only. However, as per Environmental Clearance granted by the SEIAA, Punjab the cost of project has been mentioned as Rs. 2,63,64,240/-. Therefore, considering the cost of the project as per Environmental Clearance, the consent fee deposited by the industry is adequate upto 30.06.2024 under each Act.
The mining site was visited by Er. Anmol, AEE (OS) on 25.05.2024. During visit it was observed as under:
1. The proposed site, as shown by the representative of the project is located in the river bank of River Sutlej in the revenue estate of Village Malana, Tehsil- Shri Chamkaur Sahib, District Rupnagar. Wild growth partially observed at the site.
2. The mining site has been partially demarcated with cement pillars. However, the mining inspector was guided to provide/ earmark the mining site with proper demarcation throughout the boundary.
3. The mining inspector has provided the weigh bridge and the electric connection provided with the same.
4. This is a public mining site and the mining will be carried out by manual method only and no semi- mechanized or mechanized method of mining has been allowed.
5. No mining activity found in operation during visit. The mining inspector was guided not to commence the mining at the site without the prior permission of the Board.
It is pertinent to mention here that the Board vide office order no. 346 dated 05.10.2023 had delegated the powers to decide the application for 'consent to operate' for mining of sand and other minor minerals projects to the Environmental Engineers upto 31.12.2023. The same has been extended upto 30.06.2024 vide office order no. 06 dated 02.01.2024.
In view of above, it is recommended that fresh consent to Operate under Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 may be granted upto 30.06.2024 with suitable conditions and with special conditions as under:-
1. The project proponent will provide proper demarcation of the entire mining site with fencing etc. and shall not carry out mining outside the demarcated area and in the flowing river.
2. The project proponent shall not generate and discharge any trade effluent and shall discharge its treated domestic effluent for plantation.
3. The project proponent shall ensure that at any time, the concentration of dust emission shall not exceed the emission standards laid down by the Board from time to time for such discharge.
4. The issuance of this consent does not convey any property right in either real or personal property, or any exclusive privileges, nor it authorize any injury to private property or any invasion of personal rights, nor any infringement of Central, State or Local Laws or Regulations.
5. The consent does not authorize or approve the construction of any physical structures or facilities for undertaking of any work in any natural water course.
6. The contractor shall comply with the all the terms & conditions mentioned in the Environment Clearance granted to it by SEIAA Punjab vide EC Identification no EC24B0107PB5648105N dated 15.04.2024.
7. The mining shall be carried out as per the EMP prepared and development / mining plan prepared as per the Mines & Mineral (Development & Regulation) Act, 1957 / other Acts / Rules related with mining of minerals.
8. The project proponent shall ensure that wherever deployment of labour attracts the Mines Act, the provision thereof shall be strictly followed
9. The project proponent shall undertake plantation/afforestation work by planting the native species in the nearby area adjacent to mine lease.
10. The project proponent shall obtain necessary prior permission of the competent authorities for withdrawal of requisite quantity of water (surface water and groundwater), if any, required for the project.
11. The contractor shall make the weigh bridge operational before starting any mining operations and will keep proper record of the slips generated.
12. The contractor shall properly stabilize the road leading to the mining site.
13. The contractor shall obtain necessary clearance/permission from the other Departments, if required, on its own level.
14. The contractor shall comply with the conditions imposed in the letter vide which the mining plan has been approved by the State Geologist vide letter No. Glg/PB/MP/Malana/351 dated 04.02.2023 and shall carry out mining strictly as per approved mining plan.
15. The project proponent will make arrangement for regular sprinkling of water at vehicle movement area to suppress the dust emissions generated during movement of vehicles.
16. The project proponent shall ensure the compliance of provisions of Punjab Minor Mineral Rules, 2013 or any Rules/Acts relating to the mining of minor minerals.
17. The project proponent shall comply with the proposals given in the Environment Management Plan for environment protection.
18. The Board reserves the right to revoke the consent granted to the project at any time, in case the project proponent is found violating any of the conditions of the consent under Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 as amended time to time.
Competency: Environmental Engineer (RO)
(Deemed approval: 14.06.2024)
|
