Mining firms assure adequate measures against monsoon mishaps

Majority of the companies, operating a total of 39 mining leases, have written to the district administration about the measures taken to prevent such mishaps.

During the last monsoon, a couple of ponds located in the mining leases of this taluka had burst, inundating the villages downstream.

The district administration, along with various agencies taking care of mines safety and regulations, had formed a committee which had asked the firms to put in place measures to curb accidents in case of heavy downpour.

Sub Divisional Magistrate (Bicholim) Nilesh Nagarcekar, who heads the sub-committee formed to oversee the measures, said the government has received various presentations along with pictorial evidence from the companies, who have assured that accidents would not repeat this monsoon.

The sub-committee has decided to visit the mining sites next week to verify whether their claims are true.

"We will personally inspect all the sites," he said.

Sattari taluka has 27 and Bicholim has 12 mining leases, which have been operational for over four decades.

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