Vehicles Seized, Penalties in Lakhs Imposed in Rajnandgaon, Balod, Balrampur and Surguja as State Enforces Zero-Tolerance Policy
Raipur, July 2, 2026 Acting on the instructions of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, Chhattisgarh Government has intensified its statewide crackdown on illegal mineral excavation, transportation and storage. As part of the State’s zero-tolerance policy, the Department of Minerals has been conducting sustained enforcement drives across several districts, leading to the seizure of vehicles involved in the illegal extraction and transport of sand, stone, soil and aggregates, besides imposing financial penalties and initiating legal proceedings against offenders. The Government has reiterated that the objective of these actions is to safeguard the State’s valuable mineral resources and ensure stringent action against those engaged in illegal mining activities.
In Rajnandgaon district, under the enforcement action taken in financial year 2026-27, penalties amounting to Rs 18,95,600 have been recovered in 52 cases of the illegal excavation, transportation and storage of sand. The cases include 9 instances of illegal excavation, 41 of illegal transportation and 2 of illegal storage. During a surprise inspection at Asara village in Dongargarh tehsil, officials found that sand mining in the river remained prohibited, and no illegal activity was detected at the site.
In Balod district, officials seized and sealed a PC-130-7 chain-mounted excavator after it was found being used for illegal stone excavation in Kasahi village. The concerned party failed to produce valid documents, following which proceedings were initiated under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.
In Balrampur district, the Department of Minerals carried out enforcement operations in Narsinghpur and Basantpur villages of the Rajpur area, seizing a tipper engaged in the illegal transportation of sand. Additionally, approximately 90 cubic metres of illegally stored sand was seized from a fly ash brick manufacturing unit in Basantpur, and a notice was issued to the unit operator.
In Surguja district, action was initiated at multiple locations based on complaints received by the department. Officials seized six vehicles, including JCB machines, tractors and tippers, used in the illegal excavation and transportation of soil, murum, sand and aggregates. Proceedings in all cases are being undertaken under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, and the amended Chhattisgarh Minor Mineral Rules, 2015.
Under the amended rules, the compounding fee will now be levied at a minimum of Rs 25,000 or Rs 2,000 per tonne, whichever is higher. In addition, the market value of the illegally extracted mineral will also be recovered.
The Department of Minerals has affirmed that, in line with the directions of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, regular patrolling, surprise inspections and joint enforcement drives will continue across the State to effectively curb illegal mining activities and ensure strict compliance with the law.
