Illegal sand mining rampant in Jajpur, allegations of political collusion surface

Rampant illegal sand mining in Odisha’s Jajpur district has triggered serious concerns, with allegations pointing to a political nexus enabling the loot. Despite public outcry and environmental concerns, mafias operate openly as administrative action allegedly remains minimal and ineffective.

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Congress leaders alleged that the BJP and BJD have formed an unholy alliance, enabling large-scale sand loot while ignoring public and environmental concerns. People who raise their voices against the illegal mining reportedly face threats and intimidation.

According to sources, lawlessness appears to reign supreme in Jajpur district, where illegal sand mining continues unabated both day and night. Using heavy machinery, mafias are relentlessly extracting the minor mineral from riverbeds and openly dumping and selling it on the riverbanks, unconcerned about any legal repercussions.

Hundreds of truckloads of sand are being extracted and smuggled every day, right under the administration’s nose. The activity is so blatant that even during daylight, excavation machines are seen digging deep into riverbeds at Similia and Maidipur localities under the Jajpur block. The affected areas resemble sandbanks with piles of illegally stored sand, later sold off each morning, some locals alleged.

Despite repeated complaints, the local administration and Jajpur Mines Department officials have taken no decisive action.

Congress has demanded strict intervention and full transparency, with local MP stating that the District Mining Officer and Deputy Director have already been instructed to curb the illegal operations.

Despite these efforts, accusations persist that no tangible steps have been taken, especially in key locations such as Kaiyangola, Budha Ghata, Binjharpur, and Bari areas of the Baitarani River in the district.

A district-level meeting on natural disaster preparedness even acknowledged the critical issue. Despite 65 to 70 legal lease points existing across the district, a majority of operations reportedly occur outside sanctioned zones.

The scale and brazenness of the illegal operations have raised serious concerns about the effectiveness and intent of the district administration in protecting natural resources and enforcing the law.

The public now waits to see whether the authorities will truly act or continue to ignore the growing environmental and legal crisis.

“Are such massive loots being carried out without political patronage? How dare the sand mafia loot the mineral, and who are behind them? Mafias are the same; only the Gumastas (guardians) have changed,” Jajpur district Congress president, Manoj Rout, said.

No comments were received from the government authorities.