BRS fact-finding team flags illegal mining near Himayat Sagar

A BRS fact-finding team alleged large-scale irregularities in mining and crushing activities at Neopolis near Kokapet. The party warned it would approach the courts and the National Green Tribunal if action was not taken against the units and officials responsible

Hyderabad: A fact-finding team of the BRS on Wednesday flagged large-scale irregularities in mining and crushing activities at Neopolis near Kokapet. Accusing the officials of negligence, the party announced plans to approach the courts and the National Green Tribunal seeking closure of the units if the government failed to act. They also demanded action against officials responsible for allowing the alleged violations.

The team inspected the Bhagyalakshmi Minerals crushing unit near Rajashyamala Ammavaru temple in Neopolis, where operations were being carried out without proper clearances. BRS leaders said the unit was allegedly linked to persons close to Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s family and accused the government of ignoring violations despite repeated complaints. Speaking on the occasion, MLC Dasoju Sravan Kumar said the unit was functioning without mandatory permissions from departments such as mining, pollution control and revenue, and questioned how large-scale crushing activity was being allowed in a restricted zone. He stated that several complaints had been submitted to officials but no action had been taken.

BRS general secretary RS Praveen Kumar said the party had earlier inspected another crushing unit allegedly linked to Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy’s son at Himayat Sagar and found similar violations. He said Bhagyalaxmi Minerals had obtained permission for a limited extent of 10 acre land but was carrying out operations over around 17 acres. He also questioned the use of the nomination method in the allotment of land and demanded that the government explain the basis on which permissions were granted.

Former SC and ST Commission chairman Errolla Srinivas said mining activity was continuing close to the Outer Ring Road despite restrictions on quarrying within the prohibited zone. He said gravel was being extracted in large quantities without proper approvals and demanded that the government disclose details of all crushing units operating in villages around the ORR.