The Himachal Pradesh Assembly on Monday witnessed heated discussions over rampant illegal mining in Kangra district’s border areas adjoining Punjab.
Raising the issue during Zero Hour, Fatehpur Congress MLA Bhawani Singh Pathania cautioned that unchecked activities of illegal crushers near the Shah Nehar Barrage and in Chak Mirpur posed a serious threat to both infrastructure and local communities.
Pathania alleged that an unauthorized crusher was operating right at the gates of the Shah Nehar Barrage without approval from either Himachal Pradesh or Punjab. He warned that if immediate action was not taken, the barrage could suffer structural damage, triggering floods in low-lying areas of both states.
The MLA further revealed that seven more crushers were operating illegally in Chak Mirpur, causing severe erosion and heightening flood risks in Indora tehsil of Kangra district.
Industries Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan, responding to the concerns, admitted that illegal mining was rampant in the border belt. He said individuals from Punjab were exploiting the unsettled boundary between the two states to encroach into Himachal territory for mining.
“Punjab-based crushers are operating inside Himachal and extracting minerals, causing heavy financial losses to the state. Though Nurpur police have made arrests, the lack of proper boundary demarcation forces them to release the offenders,” he told the House.
Chauhan assured that the Himachal government would raise the issue with Punjab and simultaneously file a petition in the Himachal Pradesh High Court. He further underlined that mining in Himachal Pradesh is strictly regulated, while in Punjab and Uttarakhand it is often carried out in open violation of rules, emboldening illegal operators.
Chauhan’s statement drew support from several members, who demanded immediate and coordinated measures to curb the illegal practice. They stressed that beyond revenue losses, unchecked mining had become an environmental hazard, threatening rivers, barrages, and agricultural land in border regions.
The discussion highlighted the urgent need for clear demarcation of the interstate boundary and stricter monitoring of crushers. Members urged the state government to ensure both legal action and diplomatic engagement with Punjab to safeguard Himachal’s resources and prevent further damage.