Punjab registers 1,845 FIRs, seizes 3,988 vehicles, machines in five-year illegal mining crackdown
₹28.70 crore in penalties imposed, ₹27.33 crore recovered; five arrested in recent raids, says Mining Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, October 30, 2026: Punjab has registered 1,845 FIRs and seized 3,988 vehicles and machines in its crackdown on illegal mining over the past five years, with penalties totalling ₹28.70 crore imposed and ₹27.33 crore recovered, Mines and Geology Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal said on Friday.
Addressing a press conference at Punjab Bhawan, Goyal said the state government had adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards illegal mining and intensified enforcement drives in coordination with the police to curb unauthorised extraction and transportation of minerals.
Sharing year-wise figures, the minister said 735 FIRs were registered and 802 seizures made in 2022. In 2023, the department registered 458 FIRs and made 987 seizures. The figures for 2024 stood at 294 FIRs and 1,077 seizures, while 2025 saw 111 FIRs and 454 seizures.
In 2026, the department has registered 247 FIRs and made 668 seizures so far. Penalties of ₹8.67 crore have been imposed this year, of which ₹8.02 crore has been recovered, he said.
Giving a breakdown of the 2026 action, Goyal said that up to July, 77 FIRs were registered and 192 challans issued under Rules 74 and 75 of the Punjab Minor Mineral Rules, 2013. Penalties of ₹2.06 crore were imposed, with ₹1.93 crore recovered.
From July to October, another 170 FIRs were registered and 476 challans issued. During this period, penalties of ₹6.61 crore were imposed and ₹6.17 crore recovered.
Highlighting recent raids, the minister said five people were arrested and heavy machinery and vehicles seized during enforcement operations in different districts.
On October 6, an unnumbered tipper carrying sand was intercepted during a night operation in the Sidhwan Bet area of Ludhiana. An FIR was registered at Sidhwan Bet police station.
The next day, a joint team of mining officials and police detected illegal sand excavation at Kot Sidhu village in the Lopoke area of Amritsar. Three identified JCB excavators, another unnumbered excavator and seven tippers were found linked to the activity. An FIR was registered at Bhindi Saidan police station.
On October 11, five people were arrested during a night operation in the Sri Chamkaur Sahib area of Rupnagar. Three excavators/backhoe loaders and two tippers were also seized.
At village Swara in Sri Anandpur Sahib on October 16, the department seized a Tata Hitachi excavator allegedly used for unauthorised excavation. On the same day, an FIR was also registered in connection with illegal sand excavation at Kohali village in the Lopoke area of Amritsar.
During a raid at Trehan Stone Crusher in Jaswan village of Pathankot on October 17, officials seized a Poklain machine and an unnumbered tipper carrying around 400 cubic feet of gravel. Goyal said the crusher had earlier been suspended but was found operating and selling mineral material in violation of norms.
In a separate operation the same day, the department's Flying Squad and local police raided Khijarpur village in Kapurthala and seized six tippers, a Poklain machine and a tractor. Two of the tippers were carrying around 800 cubic feet of sand each. One person was arrested in connection with the case.
The department also registered an FIR following an operation near Bhalan village in the Nangal area of Sri Anandpur Sahib on October 24. Two vehicles associated with Singh Trader Crusher were involved in the case.
Goyal said the department would continue coordinated operations with the police and take legal action against those found violating mining regulations. He added that field surveillance and enforcement would be strengthened to curb illegal extraction and transportation of minerals.