Patna: The Bihar government has approved the installation of three stone crushers in Gaya district to accelerate construction of the proposed six-lane greenfield Varanasi–Ranchi–Kolkata highway under the Bharatmala programme.
The decision was taken by the State’s Mines and Geology Department for a 33.05 km stretch between Anarbanseliya and Sangrampur villages. Officials said the crushers will be used to cut and process hard rock from nearby hilly terrain, ensuring a steady supply of building material for the road project.
The crushing work has been awarded to GR Varanasi Kolkata Highway Pvt. Ltd., a Kolkata-based firm that will also set up and operate the crusher units. The department has issued formal orders granting permission under the Bihar Minerals (Prevention of Illegal Mining, Transportation and Storage) Rules, 2019, as amended. However, the company must secure all required statutory no-objection certificates before operations begin.
Two of the approved units will be permanent crushers, while one will be mobile. The permission is valid for three years. Oversight will be carried out by the National Highways Authority of India, which will monitor compliance with stipulated conditions and periodically review the status of regulatory clearances. Inspection reports will be shared with the district magistrate of Gaya.
Officials said the company will be required to maintain detailed records of minerals used and crusher operations, which must be produced during inspections. Any violation of norms could invite action under existing mining and transport regulations.
