Jammu: Expressing concern over the recent damage to a bridge in Kathua district, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh on Tuesday highlighted the role of excessive mining activities in weakening infrastructure and emphasized the need for collective responsibility to curb the practice.
“The mining carried out by people to earn a livelihood is gradually weakening the very bridges on which their children walk or drive. Unless we develop a collective awareness about this issue, mining cannot be stopped,” the minister told reporters here.
On August 24, a bridge near Logate Morh on the Jammu-Pathankot highway was damaged in the middle due to the overflowing of the Sahar Khad nallah following heavy rains in Kathua.
Speaking to the media, Dr. Singh also pointed to the connection between politics and illegal mining. “For the past 15 years in Jammu and Kashmir, individuals advancing their political careers have often established their own illegal crushers. This is a major problem,” he said.
Referring to recent flash floods, he noted that calls for removing encroachments tend to grow louder after disasters. However, when anti-encroachment drives are launched, vested interests often unite to oppose them. “Whenever a drive begins, political parties and business interests join forces to demand the transfer of the deputy commissioner or district mining officer,” he added.
Dr. Singh expressed optimism that public opinion is slowly shifting against illegal encroachments, including unauthorized structures like khokas on nallahs and drains. “There is now a growing realization supporting such drives,” he said.
Regarding relief for flood-affected areas, the Union Minister stated that district authorities are preparing estimates, which will be submitted to the central government. “There will be no shortage of financial support. Lands lost to floods will be fully compensated,” he assured.
