Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Wednesday said that mining in rivers had no connection with the floods as he squarely dismissed Opposition parties’ allegations to that effect.
“Such statements are illogical to make as flood and mining have no connection. Legal mining in riverbeds as per the mining plan can rather have the potential of increasing the water intake capacity of rivers and rather help in preventing floods in low-lying areas, as excess built-up of silt is removed in the mining process,” he said here, addressing a press conference.
Mr. Lal suggested that excess silt should be removed by way of mining and otherwise from canals as well so that the water capacity in canal beds could also increase. He said that due to floods caused by excessive rains, there had been a loss of approximately ₹500 crore as per the initial estimate in the State. So far, 35 deaths had been reported in the rain-related incidents, he added.
