Union Minister Raises Alarm Over Mining Threat to Aravallis
Union Minister Rao Inderjit Singh has highlighted the severe damage inflicted on the Aravalli mountain range due to extensive mining activities, urging immediate conservation measures. In a letter addressed to Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, the BJP MP emphasized the urgent need for budgetary support to safeguard this ecologically vital region.
Call for Budgetary Provisions in Upcoming Session
The letter, dated January 27, 2026, specifically requests that provisions related to Aravalli conservation be announced during the upcoming Haryana budget session, scheduled to commence from February 20. Rao Inderjit Singh, who oversees the portfolios of culture, planning, statistics, and programme implementation, stressed that the Aravallis have faced significant degradation, with many builders eyeing the mountain range for development.
Recent Supreme Court orders have sparked public concern, particularly in Haryana and South Haryana, where protests are underway demanding protection for the Aravallis. The Union Minister noted that these legal developments have raised critical questions about the future preservation of India's oldest mountain range.
Infrastructure and Sanitation Issues in Gurgaon
Representing the Gurgaon constituency in the Lok Sabha, Rao Inderjit Singh also addressed several other pressing issues requiring adequate budgetary allocations. He highlighted Gurgaon's role as a key city in the country's economic landscape and underscored the necessity of strengthening public transport systems.
The development of a corridor alongside the Dwarka Expressway, which is emerging as a new hub in Gurgaon, was emphasized as a priority. The Minister urged the Haryana Government to incorporate these infrastructure projects into its budget to enhance connectivity and urban mobility.
Additionally, Rao Inderjit Singh pointed out poor sanitation conditions in both municipal corporations of Gurgaon—Gurgaon and Manesar. He revealed that approximately 1,200 tonnes of waste are generated daily, with 700 to 800 tonnes being dumped in the Aravalli hills near Bandhwari village. This improper waste management has led to groundwater contamination in nearby villages, creating a serious health crisis.
The Minister called for special budgetary provisions to address waste removal and mitigate the growing environmental hazards posed by the increasing height of garbage mountains in the region.
Historical Context and Ecological Concerns
Environmentalists and water conservationists have previously criticized a Supreme Court order from November 20, 2025, which accepted an elevation-based definition of the Aravalli Hills. Activists warned that hills below 100 metres could lose protection, potentially opening them up for mining and threatening the ecological continuity of the range.
However, in a significant turn of events, a three-member Supreme Court bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant stayed this order nearly a month later. The court decided to form a High-Powered Expert Committee with domain experts to resolve ambiguities and ensure comprehensive protection for the Aravallis.
Additional Demands for South Haryana
Beyond environmental issues, the senior BJP leader also sought the construction of a military cantonment to provide facilities for ex-servicemen from Gurgaon, Rewari, and Narnaul. He highlighted South Haryana's role as a security shield, noting that in Rewari district's Kosli area, nearly every household has members serving in the armed forces for national defence.
This multifaceted appeal underscores the interconnected challenges of ecological preservation, urban development, and public welfare in Haryana, calling for a holistic approach in the state's budgetary planning.
