MINED

There are 55 mines on a seven-kilometre stretch, parallel to the Makrana-Parbatsar railway line, which was closed down a decade ago. Over the years, several mine owners have gone beyond their demarcated limit right under the railway tracks and even beyond them, with the authorities feigning ignorance and in some cases helplessness.

Known for its white marble reserves, Makrana is a small town in Nagaur district, with a deposit of 56 million tonnes and 40,000 labourers working in 400 mines in the several ranges of the Aravallis. Makrana, along with Rajsamand, are the main centres of marble in Rajasthan. Calcitic in nature, Makrana Marble is regarded as the oldest in age and finest in quality.

Rajasthan contributes 50 per cent of total value of minor mineral production in the country and accounts for 95 per cent of India’s total marble production. Marble reserves in India are estimated to be 1,200 million tones, of which nearly 91 per cent are in the state. The present rate of marble production from Makrana is 1.20 lakh tonnes per year with an annual revenue of Rs 36 crore.

With figures like these, it is not surprising that the mine owners take that extra risk and try hard to cover up reports of NGOs like the Mines Labour Protection Council (MLPC) that at least two labourers are killed every week at these mines. Most mine owners have also cut through the support pillars of the mines, which has led to collapses and land giving way.

Laxmichand Punia, Senior Engineer, North West Railways, has filed a complaint against the owners of the mines that collapsed last week, but has little hope that an action would be taken.

“The North West Railways has filed several complaints with the Mines Department and the state government, but all in vain. They have not been able to limit the lease owners who have started underground mining, following which there is a fear that the land will give way anytime.”

He said some NGOs had also approached the courts, which on several occasions have taken a written undertaking from the mine owners that they would mine only in the demarked area but all that remains only on paper.

“In 1999, the High Court ordered the mine owners to deposit Rs 4 crore for relocating the railway line but they have failed to do even that,’’ he added.

Manoj Rajaram, son of Uparam Rajora who owns one of the mines which collapsed, said the mine collapsed because of loose sand under it. “We are not doing any illegal mining and neither there was any blast,’’ he said, refusing to say anything more.

The MLPC has filed a writ petition related to the condition of mining here with the Supreme Court. “The pathetic condition of marble mine workers and the most primitive condition of mines at Makrana have caused innumerable problems, including environmental destruction, safety issues and health hazards for the mine workers and general population living around the mines. Most mines continue working despite a closure notice,’’ says Rana Sengupta, Campaign Manager, MLPC.

THE OFFICIAL LINE

D Sengupta, Director of Mines Safety, Ajmer Region: “Mining beyond the permissible limit does not fall into our preview but we have issued notices to more than 450 mines under Section 22/3 and clearly stated they are dangerous, many of these are on the seven-kilometre stretch. We have time and again informed the state government that they need to be shut down, we cannot do that as we are a small department and do not have the physical strength to enforce these notices.’’

Gayarti Rathore, District Collector, Nagaur: “These cases are handled by the Mine Engineer at Makrana and everytime there is a complaint, we issue notices and enforce a closure. This is a continuous process but quite difficult as there is lot of resistance. However, we try our best.’’

D.P. Gaur, Mine Engineer, Makrana: “Over the past three months, several notices have been issued to the mine owners and the licences of at least three were cancelled for mining beyond the demarcation point. However, they manage to get a stay order and continue their work like always. However, I will send my team of technical experts and look into the matter.’’

Laxmi Narayan Dave, state Minister of Forests, Environment and Mines: “I am not quite aware about the issue but illegal mining cannot be allowed. We will look into the matter and take stern action against those found guilty.’’