Statewide action on illegal sand mining in full swing, mining department's field staff continuously monitoring mining areas

Raipur, May 18, 2026/In accordance with the directives of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, the campaign of the Mining Department against illegal sand mining continues in the state. The central flying squad and district-level investigation teams are continuously monitoring mining areas in various districts and are taking swift action against illegal activities. Under the direction of the Secretary and Director of the Mining Department, a joint team of the Central Mineral Flying Squad conducted a surprise inspection in Bilaspur district at midnight and took major action. During the investigation, illegal sand mining was found to be carried out using machines in Shivnath river in the villages of Udai Bandh and Amaldiha under Pachpedi Tehsil. Three chain mountain machines were found engaged in illegal mining on the spot. Seeing the investigation team, the machine operators fled, abandoning the machines at the spot. The Mining Department took immediate action and seized and sealed two chain mountain machines in village Udai Bandh and one in Amaldiha under Section 21 of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957. A notice was also issued for submitting a reply and pasted on the main gate of the machines. During the action, officials of the Mining Department stated that strict action will continue against illegal activities that cause revenue loss to the government.