Jaipur: Illegal sand mining continues unabated across Rajasthan, largely due to the acute shortage of legally operational sand mines. The sand mafia has entrenched itself in several districts, with Bhilwara, Tonk, Dholpur, Sawai Madhopur, Karauli, Jalore, Balotra, and Beawar among the worst affected.The issue was prominently raised during a recent review meeting chaired by the chief minister, where the growing threat of unchecked illegal mining was discussed. A mining official said, “Continuous action is being taken from time to time to discourage the practice. While the police are conducting raids and seizing vehicles involved in these operations, the mining department is also actively inspecting sites and imposing penalties. Efforts are ongoing to allot mining blocks.”The mines department initiates action across all categories of mineral violations, while the police largely focus on illegal sand extraction.According to official records, Bhilwara reported 325 cases with 412 vehicles seized, followed by Tonk with 312 cases and 314 vehicles. Dholpur registered 169 cases with 223 vehicle seizures, Sawai Madhopur 122 cases and 164 vehicles, Karauli 68 cases and 119 vehicles, Jalore 108 cases and 132 vehicles, Balotra 60 cases and 115 vehicles, and Beawar 47 cases with 112 vehicles seized in connection with illegal sand mining.In a parallel crackdown, the mines department registered 677 cases of illegal sand mining across the state this year. Of these, 129 resulted in FIRs. The department seized 626 vehicles, arrested 65 individuals, and recovered penalties totalling Rs 5 crore.Meanwhile, police registered 1,953 cases so far this year, but investigations in nearly 1,002 of them remain incomplete. According to official data, final reports (FR) were submitted in 25 cases, effectively closing them, while charge sheets were filed in 926 cases. A total of 2,749 vehicles were seized during enforcement actions.Sources said the absence of environmental clearance (EC) stalled operations in many auctioned mines, severely disrupting sand supply. Currently, only eight mining leases are operational. A senior official added, “At present, sand mining is completely banned due to the monsoon season. However, directions have been issued to the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) to expedite the clearance process during this time, as further delays could fuel illegal mining once operations resume.”
Illegal sand mining rampant in Raj amid lack of legal mines | Jaipur News
