Wardha crackdown on illegal mining uncovers 52 cases, Rs 17.99 crore in penalties

The revenue administration in Wardha district has launched a major crackdown on illegal mining of minor minerals and their transport without permits. Over five months, from April 1, 2026 to August 31, 2026, the administration detected a total of 52 cases of illegal excavation and transport.

A total penalty of Rs 17 crore 99 lakh has been imposed on those involved in these cases. However, actual recovery remains much lower than the penalty amount, with only Rs 67 lakh 91 thousand collected so far, leaving a large portion of the imposed penalty still pending.

Of the 52 cases, most relate to illegal sand excavation and transport, with 40 cases involving sand alone. This was followed by 11 cases of illegal excavation and transport of murum, while only one case of illegal stone excavation was recorded. Illegal sand transport has thus emerged as the biggest problem in this drive.

A total of 49 vehicles illegally carrying minor minerals were seized during the crackdown. This has caused alarm among those transporting minerals without permits in the district, as the administration has made clear that inspections will continue.

The administration did not stop at imposing penalties but also took legal action. Cases have been registered in 31 instances, and 20 accused have been arrested. Police action accompanied the fines in these cases.

The penalties imposed varied significantly across the different minor minerals. For sand, a penalty of Rs 62 lakh 10 thousand 910 was fixed, for murum Rs 17 crore 36 lakh 23 thousand 367, and for stone Rs 70,400. This shows that the penalty imposed for illegal murum excavation was far higher than for the other two minerals.

The revenue administration's drive to investigate and act against illegal excavation and transport in the district is set to continue, to keep a constant watch on those carrying out mining and transport without permits.