Rourkela: In a major crackdown on illegal sand mining and unauthorised stockpiling, a joint team of the mining department and police conducted an enforcement drive across Biramitrapur sub-division of Sundargarh district on Wednesday and measured 81 sand stockpiles, with an aggregate volume of 1,03,384 cubic metres, SP (Sundargarh) Amritpal Kaur said on Thursday.The operation was carried out from 11.30am to 7.30pm on July 8 and covered Dalki, Sahajbahal and Salangabahal villages. The team included 17 mining officials and around 25 police personnel from Raiboga, Hatibari and Biramitrapur police stations, along with the Biramitrapur SDPO. During the drive, one truck transporting sand was detected and handed over to the mining department for initiation of proceedings and imposition of penalty.Officials said the mining department will initiate the auction process for the measured sand stocks in due course.
Officials at one of the sites during the crackdown
