Five mobile crushers have been illegally extracting stones, gravel, and boulders from the Bagmati and Ekarsi rivers in Sarlahi since mid-October, with little to no intervention from authorities.
The operations are concentrated around Bhainsasur Ghat in Basbariya Rural Municipality, even though the municipality has not issued any contracts for riverbed material extraction in wards 1 and 2 for the current fiscal year.
Basbariya Rural Municipality Chair Ram Singhashan Rai Yadav acknowledged the illegal activities but stated that controlling them is not solely the municipality’s responsibility. He blamed the district administration for failing to take action, adding that local authorities are often powerless against influential groups involved in such operations.
Local residents, however, allege that the crushers continue to operate with the tacit support of municipal officials and police. According to them, those behind the operations wield influence over police outposts, armed police camps, and local authorities, allowing the extraction to proceed unchecked.
Ward Chair of Basbariya-2, Bindeshwar Yadav, claimed the river has been exploited for months through coordinated efforts among various actors. He alleged that police have threatened him for raising objections, and that last year armed police detained his son, Hare Krishna Yadav, during a similar protest. He further stated that his ward has been deprived of budget allocations due to his opposition.
Govinda Sah, the husband of the municipality’s deputy chair, said residents had staged protests at the District Administration Office last year. However, some were reportedly forced to leave their homes temporarily due to fear of retaliation from security forces.
Superintendent of Police Yogendra Khadka said he was previously unaware of the situation but has now directed subordinate units to immediately halt the illegal operations.
Residents remain hopeful that the new government will take decisive action to end the illegal extraction and hold those responsible accountable.
In a rare step forward, authorities recently cut the electricity supply to a crusher operating in Basbariya-3, Kothiyar, effectively shutting it down. The power disconnection to Abinit Washing and Stone Crusher Industry is expected to prevent it from resuming operations, particularly at night, unlike past instances where closures were only temporary due to political protection.
For years, local communities have suffered from severe dust and pollution caused by these crushers. Schools in the vicinity have been heavily impacted, with deteriorating air quality posing serious health risks to students and staff, pushing some institutions to the brink of closure.
