CM Revanth Orders Collectors, SPs To Check Illegal Sand Mining, Transportation
In a review meeting held on Monday, the Chief Minister instructed vigilance teams to carry out raids on overloaded and illegal sand transport operations to protect government revenue.
Hyderabad: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has directed mining department officials to take stringent action against illegal sand mining and transportation. He said strict enforcement measures should be taken and ordered district collectors and superintendents of police (SPs) to conduct regular inspections of sand reaches to curb illegal activities.
In a review meeting held on Monday, the Chief Minister instructed vigilance teams to carry out raids on overloaded and illegal sand transport operations to protect government revenue. Sand contractors and transport agencies have been asked to furnish monthly sand consumption reports for projects during the financial year 2025-26.
To enhance monitoring, district collectors and SPs have been provided with ‘User ID’ and ‘Password’ credentials for accessing all respective sand reaches and stockyards. This will enable officials to deploy revenue and police personnel for effective oversight.
Following these directives, principal secretary (FAC), mines and geology, N. Sridhar, issued strict instructions for curbing illegal sand excavation, monitoring stockyards, and preventing unauthorized transportation. The online sand booking system has been revised to allow bookings from 10 am to 5 pm, replacing the previous slots of 12 moon, 3 pm and 5 pm, making it more accessible to citizens.
Sand contractors must increase the quantity of sand transported from the reach to the stockyard and are required to double or triple the supply within stipulated norms. Loading at stockyards must not exceed the tipper’s body level. Entry and exit at stockyards and reaches will follow a single-route system.
Contractors must cooperate with the government’s goal of doubling revenue in 2025-26. Any violations of these guidelines will result in contract cancellation and blacklisting by the Telangana Mineral Development Corporation (TGMDC).
The booking capacity has been doubled to ensure equitable opportunities for all transport agencies. Overloading of lorries is strictly prohibited to prevent penalties, criminal cases, and vehicle seizures. A dedicated team has been formed to monitor excavation, dumping, and sales activities. There are no restrictions on bulk sand bookings.
District collectors, SPs, and officials are conducting round-the-clock inspections in three shifts to prevent illegal sand extraction and transportation. Unauthorised excavators and transporters operating between 11 pm and 6 am have been identified and penalised. Measures have been implemented to prevent unauthorised vehicle entry and overloading.
From February 1 to 12, officials inspected 1,222 vehicles and booked 136 cases. Officials seized 111 vehicles and 21 driving licenses were cancelled. They levied a penalty of Rs14.28 lakh.
