Jammu, September 4, 2025 : Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh on Thursday expressed serious concern over the role of illegal and excessive mining in damaging vital infrastructure, including a bridge in Kathua district, and called for a collective societal effort to curb the menace.
Speaking to reporters here, Singh said unchecked mining near riverbeds and highways was a major factor in weakening bridges and embankments.
“The mining that people do to earn for their families weakens the bridge on which even their own children walk or drive. Unless we develop a collective feeling on the issue, nothing can stop mining,” he said.
Kathua Bridge Incident
On August 24, a bridge near Logate Morh on the Jammu-Pathankot highway suffered significant damage following heavy rains in Kathua district. Officials later indicated that the structure had been further weakened by illegal mining activities in the area.
Nexus Between Politics and Mining
Dr. Singh also highlighted the alleged nexus between politics and illegal mining, blaming vested interests for perpetuating the practice.
“What has been happening for the past 15 years in Jammu and Kashmir is that those who further their careers in politics start their own illegal crusher. That is the problem,” he remarked.
He added that while demands for anti-encroachment drives intensify after disasters like floods, political and business lobbies often oppose such actions.
“Whenever a drive is started, political parties and business people gang together to demand the shifting of the deputy commissioner or district mining officer,” Singh said.
Relief Measures and Encroachment Issues
The minister also drew attention to the impact of encroachments on flood management, saying structures such as khokas and shops on nallahs and drains had worsened the crisis. Encouragingly, he noted a shift in public opinion.
“Earlier, such encroachments were defended, but now there is a growing realization in favour of these drives,” he said.
On the question of relief for flood-affected regions of Jammu and Kashmir, Singh said that district administrations are preparing detailed estimates of the losses, which will be submitted to the central government for assistance.
