Local residents suffer as illegal stone mining and smuggling continue unabated in Balasore

Despite restrictions, stone mafias have been extracting and smuggling hundreds of trucks of stones in the Soro area of Balasore district. The development is causing crores of revenue loss to the Odisha government.

Making things worse, illegal mining operations are also posing a huge threat to the people residing in nearby areas. Cracks have been developing in their houses due to the vibrations during mining posing a severe threat to their valuable lives.

As per reports, due to the huge explosions because of stone blasting in the hills, local residents are living a miserable life. However, the illegal mining and smuggling of stones in the area is continuing unabated with the stone mafias having little concern for the local residents.

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As per sources, stone mafias are doing illegal mining in Khanjabahal hill under the Mahimuhan panchayat in the district. The area becomes silent before the arrival of the officials of the district administration. However, the mining activities resume with huge explosions during the night. Hundreds of trucks of stones are illegally transported from the area. However, it is alleged that the administration often turns blind to these illegal activities and fines are rarely collected from these vehicles.

As per the allegation of the local residents, their farmlands are often covered with stone pieces causing severe inconvenience in farming activities. Moreover, cracks develop in their houses posing severe threats to their lives.

“The mafias are doing the blasting work in the evening. As a result, cracks have been developing in our houses due to the vibrations. It is posing huge threats to our lives as our houses may collapse at any moment,” rued Gangadhar Sahu, a local resident.

“Our life has become miserable due to the illegal stone mining and smuggling in our area,” said Gobinda Parmanik, another local resident.

Apart from the problems of the local residents, the illegal mining activities are affecting the flora and fauna in the area and posing a threat even to the lives of wild animals. Several accidents are also taking place in the area due to frequent transportation activities.

Meanwhile, local residents have demanded that the illegal stone mining and smuggling activities in the area should be stopped.

“Our life has been severely affected due to the illegal stone mining activities in our area. We request the government to stop the illegal activities immediately,” said Rajesh Singh, a local resident

In response, Balasore Collector Suryawanshi Mayur Bikash said that enforcement has been made stricter than earlier to check illegal activities.

“We have started massive enforcement activities for the last 15 days. If any violation is found, strict actions will be taken as per the provisions of law,” said Bikash.