MARBLE RESERVES IN INDIA

New Delhi, 16 January 2006

New Delhi, January 17 (INFA): Total reserves of the marble resources in India have been officially estimated at 1,816 million tonnes.  However, as much as 83 per cent of these fall in the “possible” category. Only two per cent fall in the “proved” category.

The occurrence of marble and its mining in India dates back to ancient times. The augmentation of resources and its mining was patronized by the then rulers as best quality marble was needed for the construction and decoration of palaces and gardens and for building temples and memorials.

The famous Delwara temple with intricate carving in marble and the fabulous Taj Mahal are monuments built in the 17^th century. Both stand as testimony to the availability and usage of marble during the bygone era.  This is also  indicative of the fact that well-developed mining and processing industry with  artistic carvings flourished  in the past.

Marble deposits in India are mostly located in the Dharwar system in Aravalis, Vindyan, Cuddapah and Delhi Group of rocks.  Occurrences of lesser importance are also found in the Jurassic and Cretaceous system. The marble belonging to Dharwar system is mostly distributed in Aravali and Raialo Series of Rajasthan, Champaner Series of Gujarat, Sakoli Series of Madhya Pradesh and Chilpi Series of Maharashtra.

Marble deposits of Cuddapah System are located in Papaghani Series of Andhra Pradesh, Bijawar Series of Madhya Pradesh and Kaladgi Series of Karnataka.  Delhi System marbles are located in Alwar Series and Ajabgarh Series of Rajasthan.

Marbles of Ajabgarh Series are exposed around Jaipur, Bharatpur, Kishangarh, Ajmer, Mewar, Udaipur and Sirohi area of Haryana.  It is mostly found in Morena district of Madhya Pradesh and Guntur & Kurnool districts of Andhra Pradesh.  Bhima Series are developed in Bijapur and Gulburga districts of Karnataka.

Marbles belonging to the Vindhyan System is of creamy, grey, bluish and buff  colours and is capable of taking a good polish.  Fossiliferous limestones of Jurassic System occurring in the Jaisalmer and Bikaner districts of Rajasthan take very good polish.  Coralline limestone belonging to Bagh of Upper Cretaceous age furnish a very handsome marble capable of taking a good polish and are located Kherwan, Chirakhan and Bowarle in Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh.---INFA

NEW YEAR GIFT FOR ANDHRA COPS

Hyderabad, January 17 (INFA): In a New Year bonanza for the policemen, the Director General of Police of Andhra Pradesh has announced that weighing machines would be provided to all the Police Stations in the State to encourage men in Khaki to keep fit and reduce weight.

According to official sources, most of the policemen, particularly from the traffic wing are facing health problems due to excess weight.

Physical activity of a person gets reduced due to overweight, according to medical men.

Meanwhile, the Director General has announced that the number of murders and dacoities in the State went up in 2005.  As many as 2585 murders were reported during the year, as against 2,378 in 2004, registering an increase of 107 murders.

Most of the murders, he added, took place due to sexual jealously, followed by family dispute and previous enmity.---INFA