, Arang. Illegal excavation and transportation of sand is going on indiscriminately in about half a dozen villages on the banks of Mahanadi in Arang area. The sand mafia is fearlessly endangering the existence of the river by extracting unlimited sand from the Mahanadi, which is called the ‘lifeline of Chhattisgarh’ day and night
Illegal excavation of sand is going on in many villages situated on the banks of Mahanadi including village Paragaon, Ratakat, Gaurbhat, Hardidih, Kutela, just five kilometers away from Arang. But Raipur Mineral Department and local administration are not paying attention to this.
Last night, a joint team of Mineral Department, Arang Revenue Department and Arang Police went to village Kurud, about 25 km from Arang, and seized a chain mounting machine and 4 sand-filled hives. Whereas on the same day i.e. on Wednesday, sand was being taken out from Mahanadi through four chain mounting machines in Paragaon without any fear, along with it, illegal transportation of sand was also being done through about 50 to 60 highways. Not only this, illegal storage of sand has been done for about three kilometers on the banks of Mahanadi.
According to sources, no action is being taken at these places due to political and administrative protection. At the same time, after the incident of taking hostage and assault on the Mineral Department team in Hardidih sand mine a few months ago, the Mineral Department team, which is scared, is also looking helpless and helpless.
