Bikaner News: ₹16.85 Crore Fine Imposed for Illegal Gravel Mining in Kolayat

Bikaner/Kolayat: In a decisive crackdown against illegal gravel mining in Rajasthan’s Kolayat region, the Mines and Revenue departments have jointly imposed a hefty fine of ₹16.85 crore. The illegal mining was discovered on khatedari land in the Hadla Bhatiyan area under Kolayat Tehsil, where 2.80 lakh metric tonnes of gravel were illegally extracted without departmental approval. The move is being seen as a significant step toward controlling the mining mafia that has plagued the region for years.

Illegal Mining on Private Land: Action Against 3 Landowners

As part of a state-wide campaign against unauthorized mining and storage, Mines Engineer Mahesh Prakash Purohit confirmed that an inspection was conducted on a tip-off regarding illegal mining in the Hadla Bhatiyan area. Officials, including Mining Inspector Ramesh Gehlot, Work Supervisor Santosh Dudi, and Patwari Veerendra Singh, visited the site and found illegal gravel mining on land owned by Jagmal Singh, Chhailu Singh, and Narayani Kanwar.

Despite having no official mining approval, the owners had mined 2.80 lakh tonnes of gravel. The department recorded a mouka panchnama and imposed a ₹16.85 crore penalty on all three.

Unregulated Royalty Collection Driving Up Gravel Prices

Alongside mining violations, local residents have flagged manipulation in royalty collection processes, which have inflated gravel prices in the market. A local contractor shared, “Due to the gravel shortage and soaring costs, even small-scale construction projects are being delayed. The government must act firmly.”

Decade-Old Problem: Kolayat’s Deep-rooted Mining Mafia

While this latest raid has made headlines, illegal gravel mining has been a long-standing issue in Kolayat. Locals allege that dozens of fields have been exploited for years, causing revenue loss to the government and severe ecological damage—lowering water tables and depleting soil fertility.

Future Actions and Public Expectations

Mines Engineer Purohit reassured the public that surveillance has been intensified and more such actions will follow. Citizens can report illegal mining directly on the Rajasthan Department of Mines & Geology website.

Despite this bold move, residents see it only as a beginning. Local farmer Hari Singh said, “Fines are not enough. These mafias are rich and powerful. We need regular crackdowns and real punishment.”