Major Crackdown on Illegal Mining in Kalyan Region
In a significant enforcement operation targeting illicit mineral extraction, the Revenue Department in Kalyan has taken decisive action by sealing 24 stone quarries and stone crusher units. Additionally, authorities have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against the operators of nine specific units for allegedly conducting unauthorized excavation activities on both government and private lands without obtaining the necessary official permissions.
Inspection Drive Uncovers Regulatory Violations
The crackdown was executed by a specialized team led by Sub-Divisional Officer Vishwas Gujar, which conducted thorough inspections across multiple mining and industrial facilities within the limits of Kalyan taluka. During this comprehensive drive, officials meticulously examined operational quarry leases, stone crusher plants, ready-mix concrete (RMC) units, and asphalt plants to assess compliance with legal standards.
The inspections revealed that nine stone quarries and crusher units were operating entirely without the mandatory government permissions required for such activities. Based on these critical findings, Mandal Officer Preeti Ghude formally lodged a complaint at the Kalyan Taluka police station, leading to the registration of a case against the implicated operators.
Additional Violations and Temporary Seals
Beyond the units operating without permissions, several other facilities that possessed valid authorizations were also found to be in violation of various regulatory norms. Officials discovered that some plants had failed to maintain proper labour registers, while others exhibited significant discrepancies in their excavation measurements, raising concerns about transparency and adherence to regulations.
These units have been temporarily sealed by authorities and have been directed to submit accurate measurement reports to the relevant departments for further review and potential penalties.
Impact on Local Construction and Industry Backlash
The enforcement action has reportedly created substantial difficulties for numerous road contractors operating in Thane district, who rely heavily on these sealed plants for the construction materials essential for ongoing road works. This disruption highlights the broader economic implications of such regulatory crackdowns on local infrastructure projects.
Meanwhile, the owner of one affected unit, who claimed to hold valid permissions but still faced sealing, chose to remain anonymous while alleging that the action was a deliberate tactic by authorities to harass operators. This accusation points to potential tensions between regulatory bodies and industry stakeholders in the region.
The case remains under active investigation at the Kalyan Taluka police station as authorities continue to assess the full scope of the illegal mining operations and ensure compliance with environmental and land-use regulations.
