Nanded police destroy illegal sand-mining boats and equipment worth Rs 3.15 crore on Godavari
Police raided illegal sand-mining sites on the Godavari on October 16, seizing and destroying boats, an engine, rafts and sand worth Rs 3.15 crore.
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Police in Nanded district have launched a major drive against illegal sand mining from the Godavari river. The mining is damaging the environment and costing the government revenue. The special drive was run by Nanded district police to end the clandestine transport of sand at its root.
The action was taken on the orders of Superintendent of Police Dr Nilabh Rohan. Police from the Nanded Rural, Mudkhed and Vimantal police stations jointly carried out the operation under the leadership of Nanded Rural Sub-Divisional Police Officer Manik Bedre.
On the morning of October 16, 2026, police raided sand-mining sites on the Godavari simultaneously. The illegal material and machines that the sand mafia had installed in the river were seized and destroyed on the spot.
In the presence of panch witnesses, police seized goods worth a total of Rs 3.15 crore. These include nine large iron boats, valued at Rs 30 lakh each, which were blown up on the spot with gelatin sticks. A small boat valued at Rs 15 lakh was also seized and destroyed there.
An engine used to extract sand, valued at Rs 3.5 lakh, was also seized and destroyed on the spot. In addition, 23 rafts and 58 brass of sand were destroyed by burning and sinking them in water. A tipper and 2 brass of sand, with an estimated value of Rs 12.10 lakh, were also seized.
Cases are being registered at the Nanded Rural, Mudkhed and Vimantal police stations under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Police have issued a clear warning that the sand mafia, which upsets the environmental balance through illegal mining of the river and causes the government a loss of crores of rupees in revenue, will not be spared. The police administration also said that such special drives will continue to be run to root out illegal trades.
The operation was carried out under the guidance of Superintendent of Police Dr Nilabh Rohan. Sub-Divisional Police Officer Manik Bedre, Police Inspector Ashok Jadhav (Nanded Rural), Police Inspector Ganesh Karad (Mudkhed) and Police Inspector Ramdas Shendge (Vimantal) took part. A team of assistant police inspectors and police personnel also carried out the action.
