Guwahati: The Meghalaya High Court has taken suo motu cognisance of large-scale illegal transportation of boulders and minerals along National Highway-206 towards the Bangladesh border, issuing sweeping interim directions to curb violations.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice H.S. Thangkhiew registered a public interest litigation on April 21, acting on a letter that flagged what the court termed a “disturbing pattern of inaction and administrative indifference.”
The communication, supported by photographs and video evidence, alleged that trucks carrying boulders and other minerals were operating without registration plates, valid challans or mandatory transport documents. The Bench observed that the concerns raised appeared “prima facie visible and real.”
Noting that mining activities are regulated, particularly in ecologically sensitive areas, the court said extraction is prohibited within 50 metres of villages, highways and water sources, and requires necessary clearances in forest-designated zones. The operation of unregistered and unregulated vehicles, it said, pointed to systemic lapses across multiple departments.
The Bench also took note of concerns over illegal excavation, damage to roads caused by overloaded trucks, disruption to local communities and environmental degradation, observing that such harm may be irreversible.
The court directed its Registry to implead multiple respondents, including the state government, Directorate of Mineral Resources, Transport and Forest Departments, district administration and police, the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board, Revenue and Taxation Department, as well as central agencies such as the Union of India, the Commissioner of Customs, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the Border Security Force.
Issuing interim directions to remain in force until the next hearing, the court ordered authorities at Land Customs Stations and forest check posts to turn back any vehicle lacking a valid mineral transport challan corresponding to the vehicle number. It further authorised officials to seize vehicles and confiscate minerals in cases of non-compliance.
All transport vehicles have been directed to carry valid fitness and pollution under control (PUC) certificates. Authorities have also been asked to conduct field inspections to ensure that mining is carried out strictly within permitted areas and in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
During the hearing, the Advocate General accepted notice on behalf of the state authorities, while the Deputy Solicitor General did so for the Union government, Customs and the Border Security Force. Both sought time to file affidavits detailing steps taken under relevant mining and environmental regulations.
The court also asked the state to clarify its policy on mineral exports, particularly limestone, in view of the environmental implications of continued extraction.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on April 28. All respondents have been directed to submit their affidavits by the date.