Chandigarh, June 10: A political dispute has intensified in Haryana’s Palwal district concerning allegations of illegal sand mining and unauthorized bridge construction on the Yamuna River. While the Haryana government maintains that no illicit activities are occurring, the Congress party is demanding a central-level investigation into the matter.
On Monday, the state government released an official statement citing a joint inspection conducted by the Mining Department (Faridabad/Palwal), Irrigation Department (Palwal), and Enforcement Bureau (Palwal). Their findings concluded: “No illegal mining is being done in Dostpur village and no obstruction or diversion in the flow of the Yamuna was found during the joint inspection.”
However, Congress leaders have dismissed the inspection report, raising doubts about the impartiality of the involved officials and calling for an independent inquiry by a central agency.
“We reported these bridges near Prahladpur. It’s the same set of officials being asked to inspect, and that raises serious questions. We have day-wise visuals of the bridge construction. This is not new — we’ve been raising it for months,” asserted former Haryana Minister and Congress leader Karan Dalal, rejecting the state’s findings.
Adding to the call for a central probe, Rajya Sabha MP and senior Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala cautioned about severe environmental repercussions. “Similar illegal mining happened in Sonepat, where the course of the river was altered. The state government initially denied it, then later admitted the damage. The Yamuna is fragile and mining along its banks will kill the river. The Centre must step in,” Surjewala stated, drawing parallels to past incidents.
In response to the accusations, a government spokesperson clarified that the construction of a temporary path or crossing in the Yamuna at Dostpur village had received official approval. “The NOC was granted by the Chief Engineer, YWS (S), Delhi, Irrigation & Water Resources Department, Haryana, via letter dated March 12, 2025,” the statement explained, adding that “The mining tender for Dostpur was awarded to M/s Darsh Buildinfra Pvt Ltd. through an e-auction on May 24, 2022, for a period of nine years.”
Officials from the Mines and Geology Department further confirmed that the ongoing mining operations are lawful and are being conducted only after securing all necessary clearances.
