Underground mining affecting land in Uttarakhand

Dehra Dun, Mar 10 (UNI) Underground mining for hydroelectric projects in Uttarkhand is affecting land in nearby settlement areas, the state Assembly was informed today.

Replying to the issue raised by Manu Singh Chauhan of the BJP during the question hour, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prakash Pant said complaints were received from several areas where mining was underway and the services of specialised agencies were being utilised to investigate the matter.

He said it was alarming that complaints were received even after detailed surveys were carried out and the government was treating the issue ''very seriously''.

Om Gopal and Pushpendra Tripathy of UKD said underground mining in one village had led water supplies to dry up and there was no provision in place to rehabilitate the affected people.

Mr Pant, in reply to this, said surveys in the affected areas would be carried out.

UNI PB SP HT1520