Sinha said a special joint operation by the Mining Department, Patna DM and SSP was conducted in the Digha police station area, where 28 tractors loaded with illegally mined sand were seized and an FIR was registered. The vehicles will attract penalties amounting to ₹32 lakh. “CCTV cameras are monitoring every route. If any police station in-charge is found negligent or complicit, action will follow,” he warned.
He added that complaints of police involvement in sand smuggling have surfaced from several regions, and the government will now pursue such cases with strict disciplinary measures. The state is also preparing to auction nearly 3,000 truckloads of seized sand stored in Doriganj, following instructions from Home Minister Samrat Choudhary.
Mining Department Additional Chief Secretary Vinod Duggal informed that the Centre is set to auction seven new mineral blocks in the upcoming phase, with most identified in South Bihar. The department recorded revenue of ₹3,536 crore in 2024–25, one of its highest collections.
Sinha clarified that no changes will be made to the state’s mining policy and that the government’s campaign targets illegal operators, not ordinary citizens. “If someone uses soil from his own land for personal work, there will be no harassment,” he said.
He added that complaints received during the election period regarding mining-related misconduct are under review. FIRs have been registered in several districts, and the state will soon initiate action based on committee findings.
“Officers may change, but the government’s policy remains firm illegal mining will not be tolerated,” Sinha asserted.
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