Major late-night crackdown on illegal sand mining in Jagatsinghpur, over 40 vehicles seized

A high-level joint enforcement team conducted a late-night raid on the Kilipal sand ghat of the Mahanadi river in Jagatsinghpur district. The team seized over 40 sand-laden heavy vehicles allegedly involved in illegal mining and transportation.

The operation, carried out past this midnight, was led by the Central Range DIG along with the Jagatsinghpur Collector, the District Superintendent of Police (SP) and other senior officials.

Sources reported that the raid was launched following credible reports of large-scale sand smuggling from the Kilipal ghat in violation of extraction limits set by the government. Officials said that trucks and tractors were allegedly being loaded with volumes far above the permitted levels, triggering concerns of revenue loss and environmental exploitation.

Surprise Action: Drivers Arrested

The team reportedly moved in without prior notice and surrounded the ghat, where several vehicles were found either loading or preparing to transport sand, informed sources.

More than 40 heavy vehicles, including dumper trucks and tractors, were detained at the site, while five drivers were taken into custody. A mobile phone suspected of containing crucial communication records related to the illegal operations was seized from one of the accused.

Sources said that the contractor, who secured the sand ghat through official tendering norms, is under the scanner for allegedly bypassing extraction rules and allowing sand lifting beyond the authorised limit.

Officials also confirmed that the seized vehicles continue to remain stationed at the ghat under police surveillance, with additional force deployed to prevent any attempt to flee with the sand-laden trucks.

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Complaint of Rule Violation Against Ghat Contractor

Preliminary findings suggest that the contractor may have allowed operators to bypass both extraction caps and transportation limits.

Allegations indicate that loads were being moved at night to avoid monitoring by the local administration. The district authority is verifying whether royalty payments and permissions were duly recorded when the sand was lifted.

Officers involved in the raid said that further investigation will examine the tender conditions, royalty receipts, and GPS tracking of vehicles to determine the scale of revenue loss. Detailed statements from the arrested drivers will be taken to trace the larger network involved in the illegal sand trade.