Illegal mining continues unabated in Yamunanagar despite crackdown

Despite intensified efforts by the Mines and Geology Department, illegal mining and transportation of mining minerals continue unchecked in Yamunanagar district.

In January 2025, authorities registered 103 FIRs related to illegal transportation of mining minerals and three FIRs for illegal mining. In 2024, the department lodged 40 FIRs specifically for illegal mining, while 185 FIRs were filed against vehicle owners caught transporting mining minerals unlawfully. During this period, 959 vehicles were seized, leading to a recovery of fine of Rs 1,30,92,500.

Data from August 2019 to December 2023 indicates that 178 FIRs were registered for illegal mining, with 1,995 vehicles seized, resulting in fines amounting to Rs 20,31,19,522.

However, despite these measures, illegal mining continues to thrive. Sources indicate that many screening plants and stone crushers remain operational, allegedly using illegally sourced minerals.

Currently, Yamunanagar district has 32 legal mining blocks, but only five are operational. Among these, four blocks extract sand while just one block provides raw mining minerals — a mixture of bajri, gravel and sand — essential for running screening plants and stone crushers. However, most screening plants and crushers in Devdhar, Ballewala, Doiwala, Bhud Majra, Belgarh and nearby villages are reportedly functioning with illegally mined materials.

Chander Bhushan Tiwari, Assistant Mining Officer, Yamunanagar, acknowledged the ongoing issue and assured continued efforts to curb illegal mining. “We are making every effort to stop illegal mining in the district. The district has been divided into five zones, with officials deployed in each. We are also planning additional measures to tackle the issue effectively,” he said.

Despite these efforts, illegal mining operations persist, raising concerns about enforcement and the effectiveness of regulatory actions.