The Odisha government has declared an all-out war on the illicit mineral trade, registering a staggering 1,133 cases against unauthorized sand and mineral transportation in just 12 months.
In what is being described as the largest enforcement sweep in recent history, the Central Range Police has dismantled a massive network of illegal extractors operating across seven key districts, including the high-value Cuttack-Bhubaneswar corridor.
VEHICLES GROUNDED: Over 1,473 vehicles, ranging from heavy-duty dumper trucks to earthmovers, have been impounded.
MASS ARRESTS: 578 individuals are in custody, signaling a shift from routine fines to high-stakes criminal prosecution.
REVENUE RECOVERY: The state has already clawed back ₹27.4 crore in penalties this year, targeting a multi-crore leakage in the state exchequer.
Industry insiders warn that the seizure of nearly 1,500 vehicles will cause an immediate supply-side shock for the construction sector. With the informal supply chain throttled, local developers may face rising procurement costs for sand and aggregate in the short term.
However, the government’s move to introduce a Minimum Support Price (MSP) and an e-lottery system for quarries suggests a long-term play to formalize the industry and stabilize prices for the end consumer.
The message is clear: no one is untouchable. The recent suspension of two senior mining officials in Jajpur and Jagatsinghpur for alleged complicity has sent shockwaves through the bureaucracy. The state is making a loud bet that “Ease of Doing Business” only works if the “Cost of Evasion” is too high to pay.
