Odisha Minister’s Surprise Raid Busts Illegal Sand Transportation
By : Akshaya Kumar Sahoo
Update: 2025-01-15 07:36 GMT
Bhubaneswar: In a bold move, Odisha Mines Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena personally intercepted multiple trucks involved in the illegal transportation of sand near Barakoli village in Kantilo, Nayagarh district, late Monday night.
Acting on a tip-off from locals, the minister stopped a truck en route to a loading dock and summoned the local tehsildar, road transport officials, and police to conduct an on-site investigation.
The operation led to the detention of 14 trucks, with comprehensive inspections uncovering discrepancies in documentation for four vehicles. Officials imposed fines totaling ₹1,94,698 on the violators.
Minister Jena, returning from a visit to the Jagannath Temple in Nayagarh, reiterated the government’s zero-tolerance policy toward illegal sand mining. “No sand mafia will be allowed to operate in Odisha. The state government will take decisive action to eradicate illegal sand trade,” he said, addressing the media.
Local road transport officials acknowledged the minister’s unexpected intervention as a game-changer. “We conduct regular patrols, but offenders often evade detection due to advance warnings. The minister’s surprise crackdown caught them off guard,” said Prasant Parida, an official from the Nayagarh transport office.
Authorities pledged continued vigilance to combat illegal sand mining and safeguard Odisha’s natural resources.
Acting on a tip-off from locals, the minister stopped a truck en route to a loading dock and summoned the local tehsildar, road transport officials, and police to conduct an on-site investigation.
The operation led to the detention of 14 trucks, with comprehensive inspections uncovering discrepancies in documentation for four vehicles. Officials imposed fines totaling ₹1,94,698 on the violators.
Minister Jena, returning from a visit to the Jagannath Temple in Nayagarh, reiterated the government’s zero-tolerance policy toward illegal sand mining. “No sand mafia will be allowed to operate in Odisha. The state government will take decisive action to eradicate illegal sand trade,” he said, addressing the media.
Local road transport officials acknowledged the minister’s unexpected intervention as a game-changer. “We conduct regular patrols, but offenders often evade detection due to advance warnings. The minister’s surprise crackdown caught them off guard,” said Prasant Parida, an official from the Nayagarh transport office.
Authorities pledged continued vigilance to combat illegal sand mining and safeguard Odisha’s natural resources.