Complaint alleges illegal soil mining, CRZ violation off Bhadbhut dam in Bharuch

By A Representative 

A detailed complaint has been submitted to the Bharuch District Collector, the regional office of the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB), and the district geologist, alleging large-scale illegal soil excavation and violations of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms near the Bhadbhut Dam project site in Manad village of Bharuch district.

In the complaint dated June 8, advocate Kamlesh S. Madhiwala alleged that soil has been illegally excavated from gauchar (village grazing) land, village pond land, and riverbank areas falling within a restricted CRZ zone near the Narmada River. He claimed that the excavated soil was being transported, stockpiled at a site near Kesarol, and subsequently used in the ongoing Bharuch–Dahej highway construction project.

The complainant has submitted GPS-tagged photographs and videos of the alleged excavation site, storage location, and soil usage area as evidence. He has also sought examination of CCTV footage from the Kesarol toll plaza on the Bharuch–Dahej highway to trace vehicles allegedly involved in transporting the soil.

According to the complaint, illegal excavation may have affected nearly 50 hectares of land, though Madhiwala contended that a proper investigation could reveal a larger extent of mining activity. He alleged that the soil being removed is distinct riverbank soil mixed with sand and vegetation, unlike ordinary agricultural soil.

Madhiwala has accused a highway construction contractor, a dam project contractor, and local village authorities of acting in collusion to excavate and transport the soil. He further claimed that no mining permits, leases, or CRZ clearances were issued for the alleged excavation activities.

Seeking immediate action, the complainant has demanded a confidential investigation to prevent the removal of machinery and evidence from the site. He has also called for soil sample comparisons between the excavation site, storage area, and highway construction locations; verification of the quantity of soil allegedly removed; scrutiny of vehicle movements through CCTV footage; and an audit of soil procurement records and royalty permits.

The complaint additionally seeks registration of criminal cases for alleged illegal mining, land grabbing, theft of natural resources, and CRZ violations against those found responsible after investigation. It also calls for an inquiry into the role of concerned government officials and local authorities.

Madhiwala stated that he would submit additional documents, including information obtained from the mining department, GPCB, Roads and Buildings (R&B) Department, and the Gujarat State Road Development Corporation (GSRDC), as part of the investigation process.

The allegations are yet to be independently verified, and no official response from the authorities concerned was available at the time of reporting.