After exposure of illegal sand mining in the Narmada and its tributaries in Madhya Pradesh, the administration has swung into action. Within hours of Dainik Bhaskar highlighting on-ground realities and visuals of illegal mining, a joint team of police, administration and the mining department carried out action at multiple locations on Sunday.
During the operation, illegally stored sand was seized and ramps built along riverbanks for loading sand were also demolished.
Bhaskar had shown the reality of illegal mining
In its report, Dainik Bhaskar had highlighted that despite auctions of ghats not being conducted, mining mafias were extracting sand on a large scale from the Narmada, Hiran and Gaur rivers using heavy machinery. The sand was being transported in Hyva trucks and sold in the market for ₹30,000 to ₹50,000 per load. The report had also pointed out that despite knowledge of illegal mining, no action was being taken earlier.
On Sunday, the administration team reached the spot and took action.
Joint team formed on Commissioner’s instructions
After publication of the report, Divisional Commissioner Dhananjay Singh took cognisance of the matter and directed Collector Raghvendra Singh to take immediate action. Following this, a joint team led by SDM, along with police and mining department officials, conducted raids at more than half a dozen locations.
During the operation, illegally stored sand worth lakhs of rupees was seized. Ramps being used to load sand into Hyva vehicles were also demolished.
Mineral department team reached the forests
On Sunday, acting on information about illegal extraction from the Narmada, SDM Abhishek Singh, CSP Bargi Anjul Ayak Mishra, Tehsildar Pradeep Tiwari, Bargi police station in-charge and police force reached village Bahoripar.
During inspection, around three to four Hyva loads of illegally stored sand were found on government land bearing khasra number 338 in Bahoripar village. A panchnama was prepared in the presence of the village kotwar, sarpanch and panch members.
Joint team formed on the instructions of the Divisional Commissioner.
Sand removed with JCB, dumped in river
The administration used JCB machines to remove the illegally stored sand and dumped it back into the river. Officials said that strict action against illegal storage and mining will continue in the future as well.
This is how sand was being extracted at Hirapur Ghat with the help of JCB. Bhaskar had reported this in its news.
Questions also raised on the action
However, despite the administration’s claims of a major crackdown, local residents said that the action appeared limited compared to the scale of illegal mining taking place in several areas. According to them, only three to four Hyva loads of sand were found, whereas reports had earlier indicated large-scale illegal extraction.
Signs of Strictness on Illegal Mining
Illegal sand mining in the Narmada river is already under Supreme Court directives. This action indicates that the administration may intensify its crackdown on sand mafias. However, it remains to be seen whether the drive continues or fades after a few days.
