In a major crackdown on unlawful excavation activities, the mining department in Gurgaon has confiscated a total of 126 vehicles over a nine-month period. The action, which spanned from April to December 2025, resulted in the collection of fines amounting to approximately Rs 84 lakh.
Strict Directives from the Top
Gurgaon Deputy Commissioner Ajay Kumar, who chairs the district task force committee on illegal mining, emphasized that stringent measures are being enforced to stop illegal mining and the unauthorized transport of minerals. He has issued clear instructions to the district and sub-division level task force committees. Their mandate is to carry out regular, unannounced joint inspections, with a special focus on hilly terrains, to prevent violations and ensure strict adherence to Supreme Court directives.
Breakdown of Fines and Violations
A senior official from the mining department provided a detailed account of the offenses and financial penalties. The seized vehicles were implicated in various illegal activities, including unauthorized mining and transportation without the mandatory Inter-State Transit Pass (ISTP).
The official stated that from April to December 2025, fines totaling Rs 54.23 lakh were recovered from 94 vehicles. During this same timeframe, an additional sum of roughly Rs 30 lakh was deposited into the government treasury. This amount comprised royalty payments, the assessed value of minerals, and penalties linked to the illegal excavation and disposal of ordinary soil and other minerals.
The Role of the ISTP System
Explaining the mechanism designed to regulate cross-border mineral movement, the officer detailed the Inter-State Transit Pass (ISTP) system implemented by the Haryana government. Under this system, a royalty of Rs 80 per tonne is levied on minerals transported into Haryana from other states.
The effectiveness of this system was highlighted with a specific example from December 2025. Following ISTP enforcement, 33 vehicles were seized and later released only after fines amounting to Rs 18 lakh were paid. This underscores the administration's focused effort to plug revenue leaks and bring transparency to mineral transportation.
The concerted drive by the Gurgaon administration signals a robust attempt to curb the environmental and fiscal damage caused by illegal mining operations. The substantial fines and regular surprise checks aim to create a strong deterrent against future violations.
