MUMBAI: Observing that steps taken so far cannot be said to be satisfactory in tackling the serious issue of illegal sand mining near Mumbai, the Bombay high court directed police to bring in drones for surveillance, set up watchtowers near two railway bridges at Mandvi and Saphale, set time-lines and directed that to ensure responsibility, all preventive measures must be supervised by senior officers of each department.
The HC directions came in connection with a public interest litigation (PIL) filed to curb the illegal excavation of sand around Julie Island near Vaitrana Creek in District, Palghar. The HC directed Western Railway (WR) officials to report all suspicious activities to Mandvi Police Station, Safale and Kelva Police Station and Virar Police Station. Police should not only confiscate vehicles used for the illegal activity but oppose their release directed, the HC bench of Justices Nitin Jamdar and Manjusha Deshpande last month.
