Mining companies in Goa asked to take care of 'pits'

Panaji, May 23

Admitting that his department will not be in a position to manage any mishap, Goa's Water Resources Department (WRD) Minister Subhas Shirodkar said that Mining companies have been asked to take care of 'pits' during the monsoon season.

Shirodkar, speaking to media persons here, said that his department won't be able to manage these pits all of a sudden. "We can drain out water, but if a landslide occurs then we won't be able to manage it. Hence mining companies are told to take care of it," the WRD minister said.

The state government has recently started the process to take over 88 mining leases by issuing notices to vacate the leases by June 6. Some of the companies while vacating had also started to remove water pumps from pits. However, now they have been asked to take adequate measures to manage pits.

"Mining pits come under the Mining Ministry. The Chief Minister is handling the issue," Shirodkar said.

He said that his department will monitor the situation.

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had recently said that if mining companies fail to adhere to the request then Water Resources Department (WRD) and Public Works Department (PWD) will take care of the issue.

Mining companies have been asked to maintain the mining pits this year.