Bhagalpur: The Bihar government has decided to start stone mining in six districts of the state. This step will help reduce the state’s dependence on Jharkhand for stone supply and will also create jobs for many people. The Mines and Geology Department has marked hills in Banka, Gaya, Nawada, Sheikhpura, Aurangabad, and Kaimur for this purpose. Officials said that the Chief Secretary has asked the District Magistrates of these districts to send detailed survey reports before mining work begins.
According to Banka’s Mineral Development Officer Kumar Ranjan, if permission is given for mining in Banka district, it will become one of the largest revenue earning districts after sand mining. The hill area marked in Shambhuganj region near the Bhagalpur-Munger border is spread over about 20 acres. Officials said that nearly seven million tonnes of stone can be taken out from this hill, which will give the state government revenue worth crores of rupees and provide jobs to thousands of people through stone crusher units.
At present, stone mining is allowed only in two districts of Bihar – Sheikhpura and Gaya. Before 2002, stone mining was done in 13 districts of Bihar including Bhagalpur, Banka, Bettiah, Jamui, Nalanda, Rohtas, Jehanabad, and Aurangabad. There were many stone crusher machines running in these districts at that time. The Mines and Geology Department had given 351 leases for stone mining covering nearly 993 acres of hilly land in those districts.
However, stricter environmental rules were introduced in 2021 to control pollution from crusher units. The Bihar State Pollution Control Board made it compulsory for all stone crusher units to build 12-feet-high boundary walls to stop dust from spreading. They were also asked to set up permanent pipelines for water sprinkling around their units. Officials say that with proper environmental safety steps, stone mining will now help Bihar earn more and provide better employment opportunities.
