Odisha mining department asked to use Google Earth software

With the Justice M B Shah Commission of Enquiry indicting both the Odisha government and the Centre for illegal mining in the state, direction was given today to the mines department to use Google Earth software for monitoring.
Since mine boundaries were digitised, monitoring could be done through remote sensing mechanism, Chief Secretary J K Mohapatra said at a state-level task force meeting.
"The data availed from remote sensing can be inspected through actual field verification to determine the extent of violation, if any," Mohapatra told the department.
Mohapatra also asked the steel and mines department to make use of Google Earth, a virtual globe programme, for monitoring whether actual mining was being carried out within specified boundaries, a senior official said after attending the meeting.

The Paradip Port Trust (PPT) was asked to create more infrastructure for transport of mineral by rail to reduce the traffic load on roads which caused numerous hazards for people.
The transport department was asked to implement strictly approved district specific rates for transport of minerals by trucks. Earlier, industries had alleged that transport cost charged by transporters in Odisha was high.
It was resolved to take penal action against violations in transportation through roads.