Bhubaneswar, July 2 -- https://images.odishatv.in/uploadimage/library/16_9/16_9_0/recent_photo_1751433671.webp
Rampant 'illegal' sand mining along the Bhargavi and Kushabhadra rivers in the Nimapada region of Puri district has raised fears of severe flooding and loss of government revenue at a time when several coastal districts are reeling from rain-induced calamities.
As per sources, despite the absence of official leases and repeated government warnings, mafias continue to extract sand unchecked, especially under the cover of darkness, damaging river embankments and constructing unauthorised routes that pose serious environmental and public safety risks.
Local alleged that sand mafias have illegally breached river embankments at over ...