Srinagar, May 12: The Ministry of Mines on Tuesday launched the second tranche of e-auction of limestone blocks in Jammu and Kashmir at Srinagar, marking a major step towards transparent, sustainable, and investor-friendly mineral development in the union Territory.

Secretary, Ministry of Mines, Piyush Goyal officially launched the tranche and highlighted the Centre’s ongoing reforms aimed at simplifying procedures, enhancing transparency, and improving ease of doing business in the mining sector.
Goyal said Jammu and Kashmir holds significant untapped mineral potential, adding that the auction and operationalisation of these blocks would contribute to the vision of Viksit Bharat, Viksit Jammu & Kashmir, and Aatmanirbhar Bharat through industrial growth, employment generation, and economic development.
A total of 12 limestone blocks, spread across the districts of Anantnag, Rajouri, and Poonch, have been put up for auction under tranche II. These include both newly identified blocks and blocks being re-auctioned under second attempt, in accordance with the provisions of the Mineral (Auction) Rules, 2015 (as amended).
The blocks are categorized under G3 and G4 stages of the United Nations Framework Classification (UNFC) and are expected to attract strong industry interest, particularly from the cement and infrastructure sectors.
According to the details, five blocks have been notified under the first attempt category. These include Kalindange Limestone Block, Naubug-Halan Limestone Block and Sop Limestone Block in Anantnag district, besides Dharamora Limestone Block and Faislabad Limestone Block in Poonch district.
Seven other blocks have been put up under the second attempt category after earlier rounds failed to receive successful bids. These include Dooru Shahabad Limestone Block, Koot-Kapran Limestone Block and Wantrag Limestone Block in Anantnag district; Rajpura Limestone Block in Poonch district; and Darhal-Chittibatti Limestone Block, Khablian-Bharot-Danna Limestone Block and Lah Limestone Block-E in Rajouri district.
A union government spokesman said the sale of tender documents will commence on May 18, and the pre-bid conference is scheduled for June 5. The last date for purchase of tender documents is July 15, , and the last date for submission of bids is July 21.
Joint Secretary & Designated Officer, Ministry of Mines, Farida M. Naik encouraged bidders to explore the region’s mining potential, highlighting its role in boosting economic growth, employment, and socio-economic development.