Asik SyedChittorgarh Mining Ban: The Rajasthan government is considering imposing a total ban on mining operations within a 10-kilometre radius of the iconic Chittorgarh Fort. This initiative stems from an ongoing legal standoff involving Birla Corporation Limited and the state, with the matter now pending in the Supreme Court. The legal saga began over a decade ago when the Rajasthan High Court, in 2012, ordered a halt to mining near the heritage site.
A Glimpse Into Chittorgarh Fort
Spread across a vast 700 acres, Chittorgarh Fort is India’s largest fort complex and a UNESCO World Heritage site. It houses 65 ancient structures—including nearly 20 grand temples—and several palaces, commemorative towers, and memorials. Noteworthy sites within the complex include the elegant Rani Padmini’s Palace, the Fateh Prakash Palace Museum, and the towering Vijay Stambh.
Chittorgarh Mining Ban: How the Legal Battle Unfolded
In 2012, the Rajasthan High Court ruled against mining and blasting activities in the vicinity of the fort, citing risks to its structural stability and environmental health. Birla Corporation challenged this decision, pushing the case to the Supreme Court, which has been deliberating ever since.
Scientific Assessment Ordered by the Court
To settle the matter with evidence, the Supreme Court assigned the Indian Institute of Technology – Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad, to conduct a detailed study on the effects of mining. Their report, submitted in January 2024, concluded that controlled blasting could be allowed beyond a 5-kilometre range without jeopardising the fort’s integrity.
Controversy Over the IIT Report
However, the report stirred strong criticism from multiple quarters. Experts flagged serious flaws, including a failure to follow standard protocols for blast-impact assessments. The study lacked thorough soil and rock structure analysis and did not offer sufficient long-term data. Furthermore, critics argued that the term “controlled blasting” was ambiguously defined and lacked scientific verification.
Voices from the Expert Community
Institutions like the Central Building Research Institute (CBRI) and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) voiced serious reservations. Their assessments highlight the fort’s deteriorating condition and stress its sensitivity to vibrations caused by mining and blasting. These reports largely align with calls for strict limitations—or a complete ban—on mining in the area.
The Environmental Toll
Beyond structural risks, mining in the region has raised red flags on the environmental front. Local water bodies such as the Bedach and Gambhiri rivers are bearing the brunt of the pollution caused by mining operations. Public hearings revealed violations of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, adding further urgency to the matter.
The Scale of the Mining Footprint
Mining in Chittorgarh is not a small-scale affair. Large limestone mining leases stretch over 4,360 hectares, producing more than 11 million tonnes annually. Minor mineral leases add another 260 hectares, yielding around 5.2 million tonnes through open-cast methods. This vast scale has intensified concerns regarding both environmental degradation and the safety of nearby heritage structures.
Neha Baruah
