Joint crackdown against illegal mining to begin across 20 Aravalli districts in Rajasthan from Dec 29
Rajasthan launches massive anti‑illegal mining drive across Aravalli hills
Jaipur, Dec. 27 — In a decisive move, Rajasthan’s Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma has ordered a large‑scale, coordinated crackdown on illegal mining, smuggling, and storage activities in the 20 districts that stretch over the Aravalli range. The operation, slated to begin on Dec. 29, 2025 and run through Jan. 15, 2026, will involve the Mines, Revenue, Police, Transport and Forest departments working hand‑in‑hand under the supervision of district collectors.
The campaign reflects the state’s zero‑tolerance stance on unlawful quarrying. Earlier this Saturday, the Chief Minister convened a joint session of the Mines and Forest ministries, issuing clear directives to take stringent action against illicit mining practices. “We must operate in ‘action mode’,” he said, emphasizing the need for visible, tangible results on the ground.
Rajasthan’s Principal Secretary of Mines, T. Ravikant, consulted with senior mining engineers at the Secretariat and relayed the CM’s mandate: illegal mining must be eradicated entirely from the state. Building on these instructions, Ravikant announced the launch of a coordinated operation that will address every stage of unlawful mining—unlicensed extraction, illegal transport, and improper storage.
Under the guidance of district collectors, the operation will feature close inter‑departmental coordination. Officials are also being directed to convene Special Investigation Team (SIT) meetings immediately, chaired by the respective district collectors. Ravikant stressed that the focus should go beyond just intercepting illegal transport; authorities must identify the source sites and target the hubs that facilitate the illicit activity.
“Districts hit hardest by illegal mining will have dedicated ‘hotspots’ identified,” he added. “In those areas, we will undertake severe action, including the seizure of mining equipment.”
The campaign comes with an uncompromising framework: no leniency will be allowed, and the strictest legal penalties will be applied. Oversight of the operation will be conducted regularly from the Udaipur headquarters as well as through the Mines Department’s Principal Secretary office. Officers will be held accountable, and any lapse will be met with swift consequences.
To reinforce the message of a firm governmental stance, officials are also required to publicise the actions taken during the campaign through the media. This transparency aims to signal that the state will not tolerate illegal mining under any circumstances.
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