Mining Resumes in Udalguri After DC Order, SEIAA Clears DSR

Mining operations in Udalguri district have officially resumed following the approval of the final District Survey Report (DSR) by the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA). The approval was granted during a meeting of the SEIAA held on May 13, 2025, after reviewing the report and recommendations submitted by the State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC).

The green signal for resumption came in the wake of a letter issued by the SEIAA, which confirmed that the final DSR for Udalguri had been thoroughly evaluated and formally accepted. Acting on this directive, the District Commissioner of Udalguri, through an official communication, has revoked the earlier stay order on all mining activities.

With this, all mining contract holders and permit holders are now permitted to resume operations, provided they obtain the mandatory Consent to Operate (CTO) from the Pollution Control Board (PCB), Assam. The operations must strictly adhere to the guidelines laid out in the newly approved DSR.

Confirming the development, the Divisional Forest Officer of Dhansiri Forest Division, Udalguri, issued an official order authorising the resumption of mining activities under the approved framework.

Mining in the district had been on hold for over five months, following concerns raised in relation to environmental impact and regulatory compliance. With the formalisation of the DSR and subsequent approval by SEIAA, the administration aims to ensure that mining in Udalguri moves forward in a regulated and environmentally responsible manner.

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