Berhampur: In a major crackdown on illegal sand mining, mines minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena helped seize around 20 sand-laden trucks during a raid at Barakoli village near Kantilo in Nayagarh district on Monday evening.
The minister, who was returning from performing rituals at the Nilamadhab temple during the deity’s Pushyabhishek, noticed several trucks transporting sand from the Mahanadi river bed. Upon inspection, none of the vehicles could produce valid transportation documents.
“We will not allow any sand mafia to operate in the state. The govt is determined to take stringent action against them to curb illegal sand trade,” Jena told reporters on Tuesday.
Following the minister’s intervention, local authorities detained trucks and initiated action against the operators. “The vehicles have been seized for illegal transportation of sand,” said a district official.
This is not the first time Jena has taken direct action against illegal sand mining. Two months ago, he intercepted two trucks illegally transporting sand on the Berhampur-Aska road in Ganjam district.