Chief Secretary directs district collectors and departments to coordinate action to curb illegal sand mining in the Chambal River
Jaipur, October 2026 : The State-Level Coordination and Monitoring Committee, chaired by Chief Secretary V. Srinivas, met at the Government Secretariat on Wednesday to discuss measures to prevent illegal sand mining in the Chambal River and protect the environment. The meeting directed the concerned departments and district collectors to ensure effective and coordinated action.
The Chief Secretary said that strengthening surveillance mechanisms and ensuring coordination among all concerned departments were essential to effectively curb illegal mining in the Chambal River.
He directed officials to ensure regular inspections and effective supervision of the patrolling posts established in the Chambal River region. He also called for a review of the policy promoting manufactured sand (M-sand) as an alternative construction material and directed officials to take necessary steps for its effective implementation.
Digital Surveillance of 40 Highly Sensitive Locations
The Chief Secretary directed officials to install a digital display board at Aranya Bhawan to facilitate continuous monitoring of 40 highly sensitive locations along the Chambal River.
He said the system should be developed on the lines of the Abhay Command Centre, enabling officials to monitor live feeds from these locations. He also directed that the surveillance arrangements be reviewed weekly to ensure timely and effective action against illegal mining activities.
He further instructed officials to coordinate with the police and administration of neighbouring states to take necessary action against illegal mining.
The Chief Secretary directed authorities to ensure that action against vehicles involved in illegal sand mining was not restricted to issuing challans. Depending on the nature of each case and the available evidence, officials must initiate appropriate legal proceedings, including filing chargesheets in accordance with the law.
He emphasised that environmental protection and the conservation of natural resources were priorities for the state government, and directed all departments to discharge their responsibilities and take effective action in this regard.
District Task Forces Review Anti-Mining Measures
During the meeting, Deputy Conservators of Forests from Karauli, Kota, Bundi, Dholpur and Sawai Madhopur districts made detailed presentations on the measures being undertaken by special task forces constituted under the chairmanship of the respective district collectors.
The presentations outlined the work being carried out to prevent illegal sand mining and strengthen enforcement in these districts.
Additional Chief Secretary, Mines and Petroleum Department, Aparna Arora; Principal Secretary, Transport Department, Bhawani Singh Detha; Principal Secretary, Revenue Department, T. Ravikant; Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force Arijit Banerjee; Principal Chief Conservator of Forests P.K. Upadhyay; Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests K.C. Arun Prasad; and the district collectors, superintendents of police, deputy conservators of forests and other officials from Karauli, Kota, Bundi, Dholpur and Sawai Madhopur attended the meeting.
