Banda (UP) Sep 23 (PTI) The Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board has sealed 157 stone crushing units in four districts of the Bundelkhand region and imposed a fine of Rs 13 crore on them, an official said on Wednesday.

Of the 393 stone crushers, 157 were sealed in Banda, Chitrakoot, Mahoba and Hamirpur districts for violating various laws in the past two months, said the board's Regional Officer Ghanshyam Dutt.

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A fine of Rs 13 crore has been imposed on them while show-cause notices have been served on 17 stone crusher owners, he said.

Giving a district-wise break up, Dutt said 81 units were sealed in Mahoba, 58 in Chitrakoot, 13 in Banda and and five in Hamirpur.

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Telling about the violations, he said as per rules, stone crushers should be set up 1 km away from a residential area and 500 metres from national highways.

Besides, regular sprinkling of water and tree plantation are mandatory, which were not adhered to by crusher owners, he said.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)