Chandigarh, Jan. 6 -- The Punjab government has identified over 200 new mining sites across districts under the amended policy, with surveys, technical vetting, public consultations, and environmental impact assessment studies currently in progress, to ensure an adequate supply of raw materials and reduced pressure on existing sites, officials said.

Most of these mines are expected to become operational over the next three months, officials said, pointing out that the operationalisation of these mines will help ease supply constraints.

The state government received 290 applications under the crusher mining sites (CRMS) and landowner mining sites (LMS) categories. "Processing is underway, with 26 letters of intent already issued. Remaini...