SAS Nagar, July 28, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Punjab Mines and Geology Department has intensified action against illegal mining activities in SAS Nagar district, with officials detecting six unauthorised excavation sites during inspections conducted in July and registering multiple FIRs in connection with alleged violations.
Executive Engineer-cum-District Mining Officer Gurtej Singh Garcha said field inspections carried out by SDO Pardeep Kumar and Junior Engineer-cum-Mining Inspectors found large-scale excavation at locations where no mining permits or departmental approvals had been issued.
The identified sites are located in Kheri Jattan, Mukandpur, Haibatpur, Bijanpur, an additional location in the Dera Bassi area and Rampur Sainian. According to the department, the suspected illegally excavated material from these sites is estimated to be more than 12.79 lakh cubic feet, with the largest excavation measuring around 6.55 lakh cubic feet.
Officials said GPS coordinates of the inspected locations were recorded as part of the verification process. The department has also clarified that no permission had been granted for extraction of minor minerals or earth from any of the identified sites.
The Revenue Department has been requested to conduct demarcation to verify land ownership and confirm the relevant khasra numbers. Further legal and administrative action will be initiated after receiving the demarcation reports, officials said.
The department has also initiated criminal proceedings under Sections 4(1) and 21(1) of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957. Several FIRs have been registered during July, including cases related to alleged obstruction of government officials during an anti-mining operation in Dera Bassi and alleged unauthorised earth excavation from the Tangri river area in Handesra.
Separate cases have also been registered regarding alleged illegal mining activities in Bijanpur, Pir Muchhalla and Ghadoli.
During an inspection at Bijanpur, officials reportedly detected illegal excavation involving a JCB machine. The operator allegedly fled from the spot along with the machinery, following which a case was registered against unidentified persons. Another case was registered over alleged illegal gravel extraction from the Ghaggar river near Pir Muchhalla.
The district administration said enforcement against illegal mining would continue through field inspections, legal action and coordination among various departments. Authorities added that further action would depend on revenue verification reports and ongoing police investigations.
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