NGT constitutes fresh committee to probe illegal sand mining in Bihar

The National Green Tribunal has constituted a fresh committee to probe the allegations of illegal sand mining in Son river in Bihar by using heavy machines that are damaging the environment.

A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel passed the order after perusing a report filed by Bihar State Pollution Control Board which said that no sand mining was being carried in Aurangabad and Rohtas districts.

The Patna High Court had noted that sand mining was being carried out which is in contravention to the findings of BSPCB, it said.

"In view of the above, to ascertain the truth on the ground, it is necessary to constitute another Committee which will comprise of CPCB, a Scientist nominated by MoEF and an Expert nominated by the Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad. The State PCB will render necessary assistance to the Committee," the bench said while posting the matter for hearing on May 22.

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) will be the nodal agency for coordination and compliance, it said. "The Committee may furnish its report within two months by email".

The bench said: "We are, prime facie, of the view that the report submitted by the PCB is at variance with the observations of the High Court. There are also inherent contradictions in the report."