KATHMANDU: Minister for Home Affairs Sudan Gurung has directed the immediate closure of all crusher plants and mining operations failing to meet regulatory standards in the Roshi area of Kavrepalanchok.
The directive came during an on-site inspection of the disaster-hit sections of the BP Highway and the surrounding Panauti region, which suffered catastrophic damage during last year’s floods and landslides.
Minister Gurung expressed grave concern over unregulated riverbed extraction, noting that illegal mining of sand, gravel, and stones has significantly weakened river systems and heightened environmental vulnerability.
He specifically criticized past political collusion that allowed such operations to flourish through contractual settings and informal agreements. Vowing a stricter enforcement approach, the Minister stated that both authorized and unauthorized mining sites would now face rigorous scrutiny to prevent further exploitation of natural resources.
The urgency of the Minister’s visit follows historical devastation in the region. In September 2024, extreme rainfall, recording a staggering 331.6 mm in a 24-hour period at Khopasi, triggered massive flooding along the Roshi River corridor.
The disaster claimed 20 lives in Panauti alone and caused significant destruction to houses and livestock from Bhumidanda to Nepalthok. Local residents have frequently pointed to illegal crusher industries, which often dump mining debris directly into the river and block natural water flows, as a primary reason for the increased intensity of the floods.
Studies have identified a high density of these industries in the Roshi and Panauti areas, many of which operate without environmental clearances or valid renewals.
During his visit, Minister Gurung also instructed security chiefs to remain in a state of high readiness for potential future disasters and emphasized the use of geo-location for rescue operations. Reconstruction of the damaged BP Highway, which saw approximately 30 kilometers of road washed away or buried, is currently underway with a two-year completion target.
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