Govt bans stone crushing at Maletha

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 4

The state government has banned stone crushing at Maletha in Pauri.

“The people of the town had been demanding a ban on the activity for long. Now no stone crushers will be set up in the town,” said Rakesh Sharma, Additional Chief Secretary.

The town of Maletha is idolised for the sacrifice made by Madho Singh Bhandari for irrigating the fields of Maletha by tapping the Chandrabhanga river through tunnels. The place is also known for its fertile nature and greenery.

After stone crushing licences were issued, there were apprehensions that the activity would lead to the drying of water bodies. Later, the issue came to the fore after the High Court raised objections to the manner in which the District Magistrate of Pauri cancelled four licences, though they were issued by the state government. Now the government has cancelled these licences.

“Keeping in view people’s sentiments, no stone crushing will take place at Maletha,” added Sharma.