Pioneer News Service
Ranchi
Senior BJP leader and Leader of Opposition (LoP) Babulal Marandi launched a scathing attack on the Jharkhand government over alleged illegal sand mining and transportation in the state. He questioned under whose protection sand extraction and transport from rivers continue despite a blanket ban imposed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT).
Taking to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Marandi tagged Chief Minister Hemant Soren and demanded immediate intervention in the matter. He highlighted that despite the NGT ban during the monsoon season, trucks loaded with illegally mined sand—many lacking registration number plates and valid documents—are plying openly across several districts, including Ranchi.
Marandi pointed out the disparity in governance, asking why cameras automatically issue traffic violation tickets to ordinary citizens on bikes and cars, yet trucks operating without number plates pass unchecked. “Is the law meant only for the common public?” he asked.
He warned that illegal sand mining disrupts the natural structure of riverbeds, severely depletes groundwater levels, and poses long-term ecological risks to the region.
Aside from environmental damage, Marandi alleged that these illegal activities are causing massive revenue losses to the state exchequer. The Leader of Opposition urged Chief Minister Hemant Soren to strictly enforce the law against illegal sand mining and transportation to protect local river ecosystems, preserve the environment, and safeguard state revenues.
