MUMBAI, July 31: In a blatant violation of Chief Minister Manohar Joshi's order banning quarrying, work is on at Navi Mumbai and other parts of Thane in full swing. Though both, Principal Secretary (Revenue), Ajit Warty, and Thane Collector, Ujwal Uke, claimed that the ban order has been implemented, a senior official of a high level study group confirmed that even during the group's visit to the area, the quarrying activities were in progress, as usual. The bureaucrats were also exposed when Express Newsline photographer reached the spot and found quarrying work on at Navi Mumbai.However, Uke persisted "Quarrying has been completely banned in Thane district and there is absolutely no violation of the Chief Minister's order.''

Alarmed by massive environmental degradation, Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray, accompanied by Joshi and City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) Vice Chairman, Vishwas Dhumal, had visited the site in the second week of June to look into the illegal mining activities rampant in the region.

Following which Joshi announced a complete ban on the quarrying operations and also set up a high level study group, headed by CIDCO Joint Managing Director Sunil Soni, to advise the government on the development of the area. For Navi Mumbai, CIDCO is the planning agency and so far it has acquired 343 sq kms of land for the purpose.

Joshi had then ordered the officials to take stringent steps to minimise environmental damage caused by quarrying activities in Thane and Navi Mumbai. Accordingly, official orders for a ban until further orders were issued by the Sena-BJP government on June 20.

A senior official confirms that barring on the forest land, the ban order has not been enforced by the local administration. ``As per the official records, out of the 160 odd quarries, 18 are on forest land, 128 on CIDCO land and the remaining illegal. More than 100 quarries are in full operation, may be in connivance with the local officials,'' he pointed out.

While CIDCO Vice-Chairman Vishwas Dhumal was not available for comment, another senior official said banning quarrying activity on the CIDCO land was not proper. ``We have tried to enforce a ban, but it will adversely affect the construction activity in the entire belt, which will then come to a grinding halt. The entire construction business is totally dependent on the quarrying operations and if the government stops it, then the construction will have to be stopped,'' the official pointed out.

A forest official feels that the ill-advised policies of the CIDCO were in fact damaging the environmental conditions in the Navi Mumbai area. ``It was wrong on the part of CIDCO to take responsibility of providing raw material for construction activities. It should have been left to the builders,'' he said.

Even the local Shiv Sena leaders -- many of whom owe allegiance to high-profile forest minister Ganesh Naik, the adversary of Thane district Shiv Sena chief Anand Dighe -- have strongly criticised the decision of the government. Several of Naik's relatives are said to own quarries in navi Mumbai. ``No doubt, it will help maintain ecological balance, but it will render more than 30,000 persons jobless,'' a local Shiv Sena leader said, adding, he will soon lead a delegation to the CM to make him abreast of the situation.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.