Orissa HC issues stay order on sand mining

The Orissa High Court on Wednesday issued a stay order on sand mining following the notification issued by the Odisha government allowing the same. 

According to sources, a petition was filed in the Orissa High Court over illegal sand mining in Cuttack citing that such activities are leading to a rise in accidents and dust pollution. Besides, illegal sand mining is also creating traffic issues due to the movement of heavy trucks in the city, the petition contended. 

On December 21 last year, the Orissa HC issued a stay order on sand mining. On the same day, the Odisha Mines Department came up with a fresh notification that allowed sand mining in case a necessity. 

Today, the Orissa HC again issued a stay order on the state government’s notification on mechanised sand mining. 

“When the first hearing on the matter was done, the state government issued a fresh notification on sand mining. Today the High Court issued a stay on the fresh notification as well.  The next hearing is in February 2024. For the time being, the court has issued a stay order on mechanised mining and sand lifting,” said Advocate, Sukant Kumar Dalei.