RAUTAHAT, April 2: Five mobile crushers have been illegally extracting stones, gravel, and boulders from the Bagmati and Ekarsi rivers in Sarlahi since mid-October, with no effective intervention from local authorities.
The operations, centered around Bhainsasur Ghat in Basbariya Rural Municipality, continue despite the fact that the municipality has not issued any contracts for riverbed material extraction in wards 1 and 2 for the current fiscal year.
Basbariya Rural Municipality Chair Ram Singhashan Rai Yadav admitted that crushers are operating illegally but said stopping them is not only the municipality's responsibility but also that of the district administration. "The administration has failed to stop the illegal extraction," he said, adding that the local government is powerless against those with the influence to illegally extract and transport river materials.
Local residents allege that the crushers operate with the tacit coordination of municipal officials and police. They claim that perpetrators have influence over police outposts, armed police base camps, and municipal officials, allowing operations to continue without obstruction.
Illegal crusher operations continue in Bagmati River as authori...
Bindeshwar Yadav, ward chair of Basbariya-2, said the river has been exploited for months through coordination among various parties. He claimed that whenever he protests, police threaten him. Last year, when he opposed illegal extraction, armed police reportedly took away his son, Hare Krishna Yadav. He also said his ward has been denied budget allocations because of his opposition.
Govinda Sah, husband of the municipality's deputy chair, said residents protested at the District Administration Office last year but some had to temporarily leave their homes to avoid repercussions from armed police.
Superintendent of Police Yogendra Khadka of Sarlahi said he was unaware of the illegal operations but has now instructed all subordinate offices to immediately shut them down.
Residents remain hopeful that the new government will finally end the illegal operations and initiate action against all those involved.
In one positive development, authorities cut the electricity line of a crusher in Basbariya-3, Kothiyar, effectively halting its operations. Electricity supply to Abinit Washing and Stone Crusher industry was disconnected. Unlike previous years when closures were temporary due to political protection, cutting the electricity line is expected to prevent the industry from resuming operations at night.
The local community has long suffered from dust and pollution caused by the crushers. Schools near the industry have been severely affected, with students and staff facing air pollution so bad that schools are on the verge of closure.
