Ban Illegal Transportation of Fly Ash – Minister Pankaja Munde

Beed – Illegal transportation of fly ash through open highways for brick kilns is increasing pollution and affecting public health. Additionally, spilled ash contributes to environmental changes. To curb this issue, authorities should ensure that such transportation is carried out only on designated closed highways and submit a report on the matter. These directives were given by Minister for Environment, Climate Change, and Animal Husbandry, Pankaja Munde, during a meeting on illegal sand mining and its environmental impact in the district.

Although chimney emissions are under control, proper disposal of fly ash remains the responsibility of the concerned officials, and negligence in this regard will not be tolerated. Unauthorized ash stockpiles should be sealed. Transportation regulations must be strictly followed, and fly ash should not be transported via main roads but through bypass routes. Records of ash stock in the Dawatpur area must be maintained, ensuring that the current stock remains unchanged until the next inspection. If discrepancies are found, the concerned officials will be held accountable, Minister Munde emphasized.

Crackdown on Illegal Minor Mineral Transportation

The minister also directed officials to take action against those engaged in the illegal transportation of sand, stones, soil, murum, and gravel. She inquired about the number of cases filed and the total sand mines in operation. She instructed that the confiscated sand should be used for the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Housing Scheme and called for stricter measures to curb illegal mining of minor minerals.

Action Against Illegal Hill Excavation

Minister Munde further stressed that penalties should be imposed on those involved in illegal hill excavation, and a report on such activities should be submitted every three months. She also directed officials to restrict unauthorized plotting on hills and warned that such excavation could lead to landslides, endangering families residing at the base of the hills.

The meeting was attended by District Collector Avinash Pathak, Superintendent of Police Navneet Kawat, Resident Deputy Collector Shivkumar Swami, Sub-Divisional Officer Kavita Jadhav, and other concerned department officials. Minister Munde was also briefed through a PowerPoint presentation, and the session was introduced and concluded with a vote of thanks by Collector Avinash Pathak.