Minister takes action against illegal sand mining in Ganjam

Digapahandi: Mines, Steel, Commerce, and Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena on Sunday seized three tractors allegedly involved in illegal sand transportation near Maulabhanja village in the Sanakhemundi block of Ganjam district and handed them over to the Digapahandi police for investigation. The incident has become a topic of discussion in the area.

According to sources, the minister was traveling from Berhampur to Raigada via Digapahandi to attend an official function on Sunday afternoon when he noticed illegal sand extraction and transportation from the Ghorahada River near Maulabhanja village. He immediately took action and stopped the three tractors carrying sand and directed the police to seize the vehicles. A police team then seized the three tractors loaded with sand and brought them to the police station. IIC-cum-DSP Prashant Patra said a case (510/25) has been registered at the Digapahandi police station. It is alleged that sand mafias are illegally extracting sand from beneath the Bahuda, Ghodahada, and Ramanandi river basins, which fall within the Digapahandi, Sankhemundi, and Chikiti areas. It is said that the illegally extracted sand is being transported by trucks and tractors to several villages, including neighboring Andhra Pradesh.