📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Subodhgadgil
Crime
Rajasthan forms task forces to curb illegal gravel mining
✍️ The Hawk
🗓 06 Nov 2026, 07:32 AM
👁 12
The Rajasthan government has created dedicated task forces to combat illegal gravel mining across the state, aiming to enforce regulations and protect natural resources.
The state cabinet approved the formation of multiple task forces comprising officials from the mining department, police and environmental agencies. Their mandate is to identify, investigate and shut down unauthorized gravel extraction sites.
Illegal gravel mining has been a persistent problem in Rajasthan, causing environmental degradation, water table depletion and loss of revenue. Recent reports indicated a surge in unlicensed operations, prompting the government’s decisive response.
The task forces will conduct surprise inspections, use satellite imagery to locate illegal pits and coordinate with local authorities to seize equipment and levy penalties. Offenders could face heavy fines and imprisonment.
Officials said the initiative aims to restore ecological balance and ensure that legal mining operators can compete fairly. The measures will be reviewed periodically to gauge effectiveness.
Illegal gravel mining has been a persistent problem in Rajasthan, causing environmental degradation, water table depletion and loss of revenue. Recent reports indicated a surge in unlicensed operations, prompting the government’s decisive response.
The task forces will conduct surprise inspections, use satellite imagery to locate illegal pits and coordinate with local authorities to seize equipment and levy penalties. Offenders could face heavy fines and imprisonment.
Officials said the initiative aims to restore ecological balance and ensure that legal mining operators can compete fairly. The measures will be reviewed periodically to gauge effectiveness.