HETAUDA, DECEMBER 24

Most of the crusher and sand processing industries being operated in Makawanpur district in Bagmati Province have been found to be violating the stipulated criteria and standards.

According to the District Administration Office, most of the industries have breached the government-stipulated standards of operation. There are 32 crusher industries and 70 sand processing industries in the district.

Though the industries are found to be registered with one or the other government agency, they have not met the criteria and standards, said Chief District Officer Govinda Rijal.

He further said the district administration would impose a ban on the operation of crusher and sand processing industries which are found to be operating against the earlier stipulated objectives. It was found that 11 crusher industries and 14 sand processing industries had not renewed registration on the time. Likewise, eight crusher industries and 18 sand processing industries have not paid tax for the fiscal 2019-20 on time.

No crusher industry met the criteria and standards as per the ‘River-based Products Extraction and Consumption Work Procedure’ endorsed by the Bagmati province government on 16 October 2018.

The procedure has stated that crusher and sand processing industries should be run at a distance of over 300 metres from the river banks; 100 metres away from high tension line; 300 metres away from the highway and a kilometre away from educational institutions, health facilities, religious institutions and security posts.

Likewise, according to the work procedure, such industries should be run at least two-km away from national parks and wildlife reserves as well as dense human settlements and a kilometre away from forest area and 500 metres away from cemented bridges.

Feature Image: File