Kishtwar : Under the directions of the District Development Commissioner Kishtwar Pankaj Kumar Sharma, a joint enforcement team led by the Additional District Development Commissioner Vinod Kumar Behnal and the District Mineral Officer Virinder Dev on Friday conducted an extensive field inspection along the Kishtwar–Paddar Road to curb illegal mining activities in the district.
The inspection focused on checking instances of illegal mining, unauthorized storage (dumps) of minor minerals along roadsides and transportation of minor minerals without valid e-Challans and Vehicle Tracking Devices (VTDs). During the day-long operation, the team thoroughly inspected vehicles transporting minor minerals and verified the validity of e-Challans as well as the functionality of GPS-enabled tracking devices.
During the inspection, a vehicle bearing Registration No JK17A-9410 was found transporting approximately 25 metric ton crushed stones without a valid e-Challan. The vehicle was immediately seized and handed over to the In-charge Police Post Padyarna. A penalty amounting to ₹22,312.50, including 2% TCS was imposed on the violator.
The team also detected and seized illegal dumps of minor minerals at Atholi- Paddar, comprising approximately 1,050 metric ton of ordinary sand and 500 metric ton of RBM (River Bed Material). A total penalty of ₹4,85,775, including 2% TCS, was imposed on the seized dumps.
A total penalty amounting to ₹5,08,087.50, including 2% TCS, were imposed during the enforcement drive. Seizure receipts were handed over to the SHO Atholi, Paddar, for safe custody and to prevent any unauthorized lifting of the seized minerals.
The owners and drivers of vehicles engaged in the transportation of minor minerals were advised to carry valid Form-A documents during transit, as mandated under SRO-105 dated March 2016 and to ensure installation of GPS-enabled Vehicle Tracking Devices in accordance with Government Order S.O. 311 dated 05.12.2025.
The locals were also urged to refrain from dumping sand and other materials along roadsides, as such practices obstruct smooth vehicular movement, pose safety hazards and often lead to accidents and inconvenience to pedestrians.
