Crackdown on Illegal Mining in Pathankot

August 13, 2026

In the recent past—both before and during the legislative assembly session—opposition parties raised a significant outcry regarding illegal mining. Sand and gravel are extracted from riverbeds or sand dunes. No individual is permitted to extract or sell sand and gravel from land near their home or from riverbeds without government authorization. The government awards contracts for designated lands; bids are invited, and contractors are granted mining rights for a specific period. In Punjab, the riverbeds of the Ravi and Beas, a section of the Sutlej River, and the border regions are the primary hubs for this activity. Pathankot, being a region with significant hilly terrain, sees extensive mining in its vicinity; however, the current issue is not legal mining but illegal mining. Illegal mining has emerged as a major threat in Punjab’s border areas. Recognizing this problem, the government has imposed a complete ban on illegal mining in Pathankot and other border districts. Yet, the illegal mining mafia remains undeterred. These individuals use trucks and other vehicles to extract and transport sand and gravel under the cover of darkness. Following the public outcry over this issue, the police have swung into action. In a major operation in Pathankot, the police arrested six individuals who were engaged in illegal mining on the Ravi riverbed and Shamlat (common village) land in Behriyan Buzurg village. Most illegal mining in the region occurs along the stretch of the Ravi River passing through Pathankot and Gurdaspur. Alert to the situation, the government has intensified surveillance in the area. Reports were received regarding illegal mining by ‘Balaji Crusher Infrazone’ in the Madhopur-Behriyan area. Acting on this information, the police conducted a raid and arrested six people. Their Poclain machine and two tipper trucks were also seized. Since these illegal operations take place under the cover of darkness, the police action against them was also carried out at night. The opposition argues that mining should have generated revenue of at least Rs 20,000 crore for the government, yet the actual earnings were only Rs 900 crore. This implies a revenue loss of Rs 19,100 crore. The government has acted vigilantly and made arrests; this momentum must not be lost. Wherever illegal mining occurs in Punjab, raids should be conducted and the perpetrators put behind bars. They should not merely be fined but must face the strictest possible punishment immediately