Body cameras, drones to check illegal sand mining: Minister

Patna: State mines and geology minister Pramod Kumar said the Bihar govt would make all efforts to curb illegal sand mining and strengthen enforcement measures against sand mafias operating in different parts of the state.The minister said the department was preparing a proposal to equip field officials with body cameras during inspections related to illegal sand mining. He added that the department was also planning to engage an agency for drone-based recording of mining areas to improve surveillance and gather evidence during enforcement drives.Kumar said the move was being considered in view of repeated attacks on officials and police personnel during anti-mining operations. Referring to the recent incident in Sasaram, he said a tractor loaded with sand ran over a traffic policeman when the officer tried to stop the vehicle after it entered a prohibited zone.Expressing concern over such attacks, the minister said similar incidents had taken place in the past as well. He said the department was working on a concrete strategy to prevent such occurrences and ensure the safety of officials involved in raids and inspections.He said the department was also considering the creation of a special force to accompany officials during raids. Although assistance is usually taken from local police stations, Kumar said there are instances when officials conduct raids without prior information to prevent leaks that could alert illegal miners.The minister also said weighing bridges would be installed near sand extraction points so that vehicles could be checked immediately after loading. This, he said, would help ensure proper measurement of sand and prevent overloading.Director of mines Manesh Kumar Meena said the department had recently begun using satellite imagery to monitor mining activity. He said action was being taken wherever illegal mining was detected through satellite-based inputs.The department’s proposed use of body cameras, drones, satellite imagery and weighing bridges is expected to form part of a broader crackdown aimed at tightening monitoring and enforcement against illegal sand mining across Bihar.