The Cuttack administration has unleashed a major crackdown on illegal sand mining operations, slapping penalties worth a staggering ₹12 crore on quarry operators after a comprehensive drone-based survey exposed widespread violations across the district.
Drone Technology Uncovers Massive Irregularities
In a joint operation conducted by the district administration and the office of the deputy director of mines, Cuttack circle, officials employed advanced drone technology coupled with differential GPS (DGPS) mapping to scientifically measure sand extraction levels at various mining sites. The high-tech survey revealed significant excess extraction at 15 major sand quarries located along multiple rivers including Kathajodi, Kuakhai, Naraj, and several points along the Mahanadi river system.
According to Sambit Sahoo, mining officer of Cuttack circle, the timing of the survey was strategically planned. "We normally conduct the survey before the flood season (May-June) as maximum irregularities occur during this period. Operators tend to dig far beyond the permissible limit, and drone technology helps us pinpoint these violations accurately," Sahoo explained.
Scientific Approach Ensures Transparency
The administration engaged a professional technical agency to carry out the volumetric survey using drones, ensuring complete accuracy while eliminating manual intervention. The process provided high-resolution imagery that clearly documented where excess extraction had occurred, both within and beyond the legally permitted leasehold boundaries.
"The process is scientific, transparent and tamper-proof. Data clearly shows where excess extraction has happened, and we have taken strict action accordingly," emphasized Sahoo. The collected data underwent rigorous verification through the Odisha Space Application Centre (ORSAC), which cross-checked the findings with their initial stored data before finalizing the report.
Strict Penalties and Enforcement Actions
Based on the conclusive evidence gathered through the drone survey, the administration has imposed penalties amounting to approximately ₹12 crore under the Odisha Minor Mineral Concession Amended Rules, 2023. Notices have already been dispatched to the violators, giving them a strict 15-day deadline to deposit the penalty amounts.
Sahoo issued a clear warning to non-compliant operators: "If any violator fails to comply within the stipulated time, their operations will be suspended without further delay." The administration has emphasized its commitment to continuing routine drone surveillance and coordinated enforcement with tehsils and sub-divisions to curb the persistent problem of illegal sand mining in the region.
A senior district administration official confirmed that "scientific technology to assess illegal sand mining with precision" has become a standard practice, signaling a new era of tech-driven enforcement against environmental violations in Odisha's mining sector.
