Chincholi: Authorities in Chincholi Taluk have discovered illegal mining activities at 24 locations, prompting Sedam Sub-Divisional Officer Prabhuraddi to issue directives for immediate action. Speaking at a task force meeting held at the Taluk Administrative Building, Prabhuraddi revealed that Taluk Revenue Officers had submitted a list of illegal mining sites to the Assistant Directors of the Mining and Geology Department.
Prabhuraddi expressed concerns over the environmental and infrastructural impact of these activities. He noted that the overloading of red soil trucks and their high-speed movement were causing significant damage to the roads, while also leading to accidents near the Kunchevaram Wildlife Sanctuary, making travel along these roads hazardous. He has instructed local police and the Regional Transport Department to investigate the issue.
A joint survey was conducted by officials from the revenue and mining departments to assess the situation. Geologist Abdul Hafeez Sheikh confirmed that 24 private complaints related to illegal mining had been reviewed by the Public Complaint Recording (PCR) Department’s law advisory officials. The department plans to correct any discrepancies in the complaints based on legal advice and will submit them to court once the necessary revisions are made.
At present, only two sand mining units in the taluk are officially licensed. Legal advice has been sought on six complaints related to illegal sand mining, with recommendations for the remaining 18 complaints still pending. Once the legal advice is received, the issues will be taken to court for further action.
In addition, approximately 1,500 metric tons of sand remain stored near Halkoda in the taluk, leftover from previous contractors who failed to meet lifting deadlines. The Public Works Department has been instructed to follow up with concerned departments to facilitate the lifting of the sand if a demand is made.
The meeting was attended by key officials, including Taluk Revenue Officer Venkatesh Duggan, Taluka Panchayat Executive Officer Shankar Rathod, Assistant Executive Engineer Amrut Pawar, and Circle Inspector Kapildev, among others.