Chandigarh, Oct 31: Punjab Mines and Geology Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal announced on Friday that state enforcement agencies have tightened checks on illegal sand mining, seizing 3,988 vehicles and heavy machinery over the past five years. Reviewing the department’s performance at Punjab Bhawan, the Minister stated that government authorities have successfully recovered ₹27.33 crore from total penalties amounting to ₹28.70 crore imposed on violators.
Detailing the current year’s statistics, Goyal reported that 247 FIRs were lodged and 668 challans issued during 2026, generating ₹8.02 crore in recovered penalties. The Minister highlighted targeted night operations conducted throughout October in key zones—including Sri Anandpur Sahib, Kapurthala, and Pathankot—where non-compliant stone crushers were suspended and heavy machinery, such as Tata Hitachi poklan machines and tipper trucks, was impounded.
Goyal affirmed that the state government is committed to upholding strict environmental and regulatory oversight. He added that multi-agency inspections involving flying squads and district police units will persist to ensure complete compliance with state mining regulations.
