Illegal mining costs PSTCL Rs 1.2 cr as sand around towers dug out

Tribune News Service

Ropar, May 22

Punjab State Transmission Corporation Limited (PSTCL) has suffered a loss of Rs 1.2 crore with the mining mafia reportedly damaging its 220-kV power supply line tower by digging sand and gravel around it.

“Its repair will cost Rs 1.2 crore and there is no guarantee that it won’t be damaged again,” said the PSTCL authorities. It was around three months ago in February when the PSTCL authorities had noticed that sand was dug up to 20 feet around two 220-kV electricity towers on the Sutlej riverbed at Agampur village near Anandpur Sahib.

One of the towers is on the verge of collapse. PSTCL sub-divisional officer Lakhwinder Singh said a notice had been served on a stone crusher unit situated near the damaged tower.

“We have proposed to shift the tower to some other location,” he added. Ropar Mining Department executive engineer Damandeep Singh said he could not comment on the issue as he had joined recently. Local junior engineer of the department Sandeep Kumar said prompt action was taken on such complaints.