Compliance affidavit by Tahasildar, Jaleswar, District Balasore regarding sand walls being erected in Subarnarekha, Balasore, Odisha, 22/04/2025
Compliance affidavit by Tahasildar, Jaleswar, District Balasore dated April 22, 2025 in the matter of news item titled "Odisha erection of sand walls in Subarnarekha worries villagers in Jaleswar" which appeared in the New Indian Express dated May 16, 2024.
The matter related to erecting of walls in the Subarnarekha river by leaseholders from West Bengal, thus changing the course of the water body towards the habitation of residents in Gopalpur and Rajanagar and other adjoining villages under Jaleswar Tehsil of Balasore district, Odisha. It was alleged that 15 walls have been erected in the river.
As per the direction of the NGT, at the time of visit of the spot, it was found that no such sand walls are present within Odisha territory. "If any sand walls that may have been created is already washed away and the river is flowing normally on its natural way," the report said.
From the eastern side of the river Subarnarekha (West Bengal side) the lease holders have constructed a temporary wooden bridge over the water body and road on sand bed. The report stated that the allegation is pertinent to the Dakhina Praharajpur and Olmara RI Circle of Jaleswar tahasil bordering West Bengal. In this area, the border line through Subarnarekha river is not yet physically finalized by both the states.
The Additional District Magistrate, Balasore in a letter dated February 12, 2025 intimated the Director, Land Records & Survey, Odisha that the West Bengal authorities tried to put to auction a sand source at Sonakania near Olmara circle of Jaleswar tehsil and same could not be finalised since it could not be ascertained as to whether it comes under the jurisdiction of West Bengal or Odisha.
The Director, Land Records & Survey, February 18, 2025 communicated the issue to the Chief Executive, Odisha Space Applications Centre to visit the spot for demarcation of inter state boundary. The team of ORSAC had visited the site on March 3, 2025 and conducted geo-referencing to initiate the border finalization process.
The article claimed that 75 pillars were erected to demarcate the border, in reply it was submitted that 36 pillar points were identified through geo referencing and all these pillars are still intact except three pillars which are partially damaged and further the ORSAC team had taken for geo referencing points to identify the area where sands were lifted and whether they come under Odisha and West Bengal.
The report also mentioned that the Mining Office, Balasore said that from December 21, 2023 to April 6, 2025 vehicles numbering 77 were seized transporting sand illegally. The amount of more than a crore collected as penalty from the violations and deposited in government treasury. Further, the mining officer, Balasore intimated that there are 21 sand sources under Jaleswar tehsil in Subarnarekha river available. Out of 21 sources, 3 are operational.