J&K Govt denies claims of unabated illegal mining
Srinagar, Oct 27: The J&K government has rejected allegations of rampant illegal mining across the Union Territory, particularly along riverbeds, asserting that effective monitoring and enforcement measures have been put in place to curb such activities.
In a written reply to a question raised by MLA Mubarak Gul in the Legislative Assembly, the government categorically stated, “No sir, it is not a fact,” when asked whether unabated illegal mining was taking place on riverbeds in several parts of J&K.
The reply further detailed that 202 mining leases have been auctioned to successful bidders, while eight leases were granted to public sector undertakings such as J&K Minerals Ltd. and JKPCC Ltd. Additionally, six private leases and several disposal permits were issued to agencies including the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), NHIDCL, IRCON, and the Airport Authority of India to ensure a steady supply of construction materials for key infrastructure projects.
At the same time, the government said it had intensified its crackdown on illegal mining.
According to data tabled in the Assembly, the Mining Department seized 6,219 vehicles and machines in 2024-25 and 4,569 more between April and September 2025, taking the total to 10,788 seizures. During this period, 373 FIRs were registered against offenders, and fines amounting to Rs 27.49 crore were realized.
The reply statedthat whenever complaints of illegal mining are received, prompt action is taken under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, which includes seizure of machinery, dismantling of approach roads, and filing of FIRs.
To prevent illegal extraction, the department has undertaken a series of technological and administrative reforms. Multi-Departmental District-Level Task Force Cells have been established under respective Deputy Commissioners, while Vigilance-cum-Monitoring Flying Squads were formed for J&K divisions in August 2024 to strengthen on-ground surveillance.
The government has also set up 22 Mineral Check Posts at major entry and exit points to regulate mineral transportation. An Online Web Portal (e-Challan/e-Market Place) launched in August 2022 now facilitates transparent online sale and purchase of minerals at notified rates.
In a major step toward technology-driven governance, the department launched the Integrated Mining Surveillance System (IMSS) portal and mobile app developed by the Bhaskaracharya Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics (BISAG). The system detects suspicious activity within 500 metres of mining lease boundaries and automatically generates alerts for verification. Officials said 114 such alerts have been flagged so far.
To enforce environmental safeguards, District-Level Environmental Committees have been constituted to implement ecological measures on the ground, while on-spot penalty realisation through POS machines has been introduced to ensure transparency in enforcement.
The reply said these measures reflect the administration’s commitment to sustainable mining, environmental protection, and prevention of revenue loss from illegal extraction activities across J&K.
