Bhubaneswar, November 26: A joint operation by Jagatsinghpur police uncovered large-scale illegal sand mining at the Kilipal Sand Sairat in Tirtol Tahasil. The raid revealed violations of Odisha Minor Mineral Concession (OMMC) Rules, 2023, with mining extending well beyond the approved boundaries, said Dr. Satyajit Naik, DIG, Central Range, Cuttack
Addressing a joint press conference in Jagatsingpur attended by District Collector and Superintendent of Police, DIG, Dr Naik informed that the lessee, Sri Saroj Kumar Mohanty, was found to have excavated 233–304 meters outside the 13-acre site leased to him.
The investigation also found the operation was extracting up to 750 cubic meters of sand daily, more than 10 times the legal limit. This illegal mining resulted in an estimated ₹15.29 crore in undeclared profit, causing significant revenue loss for the state.
Additionally, the lessee failed to install boundary pillars and maintain the approach road, further contributing to environmental and local disruptions.
Environmental damage included changes to the river basin, increased water pollution, and harm to agricultural lands. Authorities are conducting a survey to assess the full extent of the illegal extraction and plan legal action against the offenders.
