National Green Tribunal
News Item Titled "From Ropar To ... vs Item No. 07 Court No on 29 October, 2025
Item No. 07 Court No. 1
BEFORE THE NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL
PRINCIPAL BENCH, NEW DELHI
Original Application No. 553/2024
News item titled "From Ropar to Hoshiarpur via HP 30-km detour as
illegal mining damages bridge" appearing in The Indian Express dated
10.04.2024
Date of hearing: 29.10.2025
CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE PRAKASH SHRIVASTAVA, CHAIRPERSON
HON'BLE DR. A. SENTHIL VEL, EXPERT MEMBER
Respondent: Mr. Saurabh Balwani, Advocate for CPCB
Mr. Ankit Siwach, Adv. for PPCB (Through VC)
ORDER
1. This original application was registered suo-moto on the basis of the news item disclosing closure of a bridge on Swan river connecting Nanagal with Garhshankar due to indiscriminate sand mining in District Roop Nagar, Punjab.
2. Tribunal in the proceedings dated 28.08.2024 had recorded that by obtaining the satellite images for the period excluding the monsoon period, the extent of illegal mining can be ascertained. Hence, following direction was issued:
"6. It is not in dispute that by obtaining the satellite images for the period excluding the monsoon period, the extent of illegal mining in the area concerned can be ascertained. Hence, we direct the CPCB to obtain the satellite images of the stretch concerned of last 5 years, excluding the monsoon period, analyse them and ascertain the extent of illegal sand mining specially 1000 meter both side of the bridge which was damaged in July 2023."
3. In compliance of the above direction, CPCB has obtained the satellite images of the concerned stretches from NRSC/ISRO for the last five years and get it analysed from experts of Punjab Engineering College 1 (PEC). Overall findings of the experts of Punjab Engineering College are disclosed in the report as under:-
"3.0. Overall Findings of Punjab Engineering College:
This study was conducted around the Algran Bridge, located on the River Swan at the Punjab-Himachal Pradesh border. The primary objective was to evaluate the extent and impact of illegal sand mining activities within a 1 km radius upstream and downstream of the bridge, utilising high-resolution satellite imagery (2018-2023) provided by the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC). The key findings of the study are as follows:
i. Evidence of Increased Unauthorized Sand Extraction: Temporal analysis of satellite imagery and Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) reveals significant expansion of mining pits, reduction in vegetation cover, and landscape alterations, particularly downstream of the Algran Bridge. These changes indicate sustained and spatially concentrated anthropogenic activities over the study period.
ii. Field Verification: Ground surveys corroborate the patterns observed in satellite imagery, confirming the presence of mining and crusher activities consistent with the remote sensing data (Photographs given in Fig. 3.14, 3.15 and 3.16 of the PEC Report attached as Annexure-3) iii. Quantification of Material Extraction: Volumetric analysis, employing DEM differencing, indicates substantial material removal within 1 km on both sides of the bridge about 3.41 ± 0.18 million m³ cumulatively (2000-2024). Expressed year-wise (annualised) from the available epochs: 2000-2013 ≈ 57 ± 23 thousand m³/yr (Upstream 21 ± 15, Downstream 36 ± 17), and 2013-2024 ≈242 ± 22 thousand m³/yr (Upstream ≈ 102 ± 15, Downstream ≈ 141 ± 16). These figures are "extraction-equivalent"
volumes derived from mean bed-level change (△h) × area with 1-σ errors propagated from DEM vertical accuracies (SRTM ±5 m, ASTER ±7 m, Carto DEM ±1 m).
iv. Limitations/caveats: DEMs capture morphological lowering, not cause; early-period changes (2000-2013) are near the uncertainty floor; resolution/datum differences and possible wet-surface biases remain. Therefore, classification as illegal requires corroboration with the visual time-series mapping and permit/inspection records.
V. Asymmetric Material Removal: The right bank of the river exhibits slightly higher material extraction, likely attributable to mining or crusher activities, potentially exacerbated by lateral river migration influenced by human intervention. vi. Riverbed Lowering and Structural Concerns: Comparison of the current riverbed level with the bridge's original design level reveals a significant lowering of approximately 40 meters in certain areas. This morphological change raises critical concerns regarding the stability of the bridge, particularly during high-flow events, 2 necessitating urgent geotechnical assessment of the foundation conditions.
The detailed report submitted by Punjab Engineering College (PEC) including its findings and recommendations is attached as Annexure-3."
4. The above findings reflect large-scale illegal mining which has even raised concern about stability of bridge on account of significant lowering of current river bed level as compared to the bridge original design level. In the report page no.272, paragraph 3.5.1.4 implications for bridge stability is disclosed as under:-
"3.5.1.4 Implications for bridge stability The pronounced post-2013 incision, especially on the right bank, is likely to have:
a) Raised local flow depths and velocities during floods, intensifying scour potential at the downstream bridge piers.
b) Shifted the thalweg toward the right bank, concentrating hydraulic attack and inducing differential pier settlement or exposure.
c) Reduced overbank storage, increasing the stage-discharge curve and shortening flood rise times-both detrimental to bridge resilience."
5. The potential implication for bridge safety warranting further investigation is mentioned in paragraph 3.6 (iv) of the report as under:-
"iv. Potential implications for bridge safety warrant further investigation regardless of cause. If the present elevations are confirmed, the riverbed now lies well below the original well-cap top level (3 m) and even the recorded M.S.L. for pier (303.49 m). Whether this lowering stems from natural scour extraction, it could reduce the effective embedment of foundations and increase vulnerability during high flows. Independent bathymetric, geodetic and geotechnical checks are therefore recommended."
6. Though, such a serious issue is involved yet respondent no.4 Deputy Commissioner/District Magistrate, Roop Nagar has not cared to appear through any advocate or virtually today. If Roop Nagar is taken as sample then such serious situation on account of uncontrolled illegal sand mining may be existing in other districts of Punjab. Hence, we implead the following as additional respondent:- 3
(i) Chief Secretary, State of Punjab.
7. Office is directed to issue notice by email and registered post to the newly added respondent along with a copy of this order. Let amended memo of parties be issued.
8. The newly added respondent-Chief Secretary, State of Punjab is directed to file response affidavit within eight weeks.
9. List on 30.01.2026.
Prakash Shrivastava, CP Dr. A. Senthil Vel, EM October 29, 2025 Original Application No. 553/2024 JG.
4