PUNE | Jun 22, 2015: The district administration has confiscated 65 vehicles involved in illegal transportation of sand in Haveli taluka. Police complaints have been lodged against the offenders, who have paid a total fine of Rs 7 lakh.

Five days ago, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis had directed the revenue department to wipe out sand mafia in the state.

The administration has engaged special squads in every taluka to keep an eye on illegal extraction of sand from rivers and its transportation. About eight such squads have been deployed in Haveli taluka. The squads conducted extensive checks over the last two days and confiscated 65 vehicles, mostly trucks, tractors and lorries.

Checks were also conducted at toll nakas on prominent highways like Nagar Road, Saswad Road and on the roads along the riverbed.

A senior official said it was a massive drive which continued for more than 24 hours. "The drivers of confiscated vehicles failed to produce relevant documents and official receipts issued by the administration to carry sand. It was also found that the trucks were overloaded with more sand than the stipulated limit. Fines were imposed for absence of documents and overloading. Besides, drivers were warned not to indulge in illegal transportation," official said.

Meanwhile, the district administration has said action against illegal transportation of sand will continue. Similar intensive drives will be taken up in all those areas where incidents of illegal sand mining and transportation have been reported. They also plan to rope in local police for the raids. An official said the presence of police is essential during raids for safety of squads.

"Many squads have to travel to remote spots at night to bust illegal mining activities. They often face stiff opposition from people involved in illegal mining. There have been cases of physical assaults during raids. To restrict such attacks, we will ask local authorities to take help of police," the official said.

The district administration on Friday also raided a spot in Dongargaon village, where illegal sand mining was underway. Officials confiscated about seven earth-moving and digging machines and 14 vehicles including trucks, tractors and two four-wheelers. A case has been registered with Lonikand police station.

On June 23, the chief minister while addressing a conference had assured revenue officials a full support in action against illegal sand mining. Fadnavis had said the government would provide all necessary support to wipe out the sand mafia.

(Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/)