Patna: Bihar Government has banned all types of Sand Mining in the State starting from January 1. The decision to ban the mining comes after a 2012 Supreme Court order which prevents mining until Government comes up with a concrete Sand Mining Policy. The deadline for relaxation for mining ended on December 31, says Ghanshyam Prasad Daftuar, Secretary in the Mining  & Geology Department.
The Ban is likely to cost exchequer a loss to the tune of Rs 1000 Crores apart from hampering the Construction activities in various parts of the state. It may also increase the Sand Price in the State leading to further increase in Real Estate Prices.
The unregulated mining has caused severe damage to the rivers in Bihar.  A public-interest litigation filed in the Patna High Court on indiscriminate sand mining in Banka and Jagdishpur areas of Bhagalpur district show the drying up of 40 to 50 natural water channels — the backbone of rice cultivation in the area — due to unchecked sand mining. Consequently, rice cultivation had to be stopped in a total area of more than 1,500 hectares because the canals dried up.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT),  whose implementation is mandatory on all the state governments in the country, has also banned on all kinds of sand mining violating the norms.