Koraput: District officials seized seven tractors involved in illegal sand extraction and transportation in Gunupur sub-division of Rayagada district on Saturday and fined the offenders. The early morning raid was led by Gunupur sub-collector Dudhal Abhishek Dilip along with officials of revenue and mining departments. According to the sub-collector, the vehicles were operating with invalid documents, the drivers did not possess valid licences and sand was being transported beyond the permitted limit.“Frequent reports regarding illegal sand transportation had been coming to our notice. The raid was conducted based on these inputs and the new SOP issued by the steel and mines department on March 2,” he said.Officials said the mining department imposed a fine of Rs 3,56,552 on the seven tractors, which was realised through challans.On Thursday, the administration seized a tipper engaged in illegal sand transportation and collected a fine of Rs 4,01,296 from its owner. “Our raids against illegal sand extraction and transportation will be intensified in the days to come and those involved in the illegal trade will not be spared,” the sub-collector added.
