A total of 498 vehicles that smuggled mined minerals without the required permits were seized and impounded between April 2024 and November 2025. This was carried out through routine joint inspections by the Departments of Revenue, Mines and Geology and Police, according to Krishnagiri Collector C. Dinesh Kumar.
Chairing a review and coordination meeting on mines and minerals, at the Collectorate, the Collector reviewed the interventions of the Line Departments on the various violations with regard to mined minerals in the district.
According to the administration, 20 vehicles were seized and impounded in November and 27 vehicles in December.
The Collector instructed the Departments to be vigilant to prevent violations done by quarries. This includes ensuring that the quarries were not overmining beyond the permissible limits, operating long after the expiry of the mining licences and non disclosure of the quantity of mined minerals, and such quarries must be identified and sealed off from their operations.
He added that quarries without environmental and pollution control board clearances, crushers without pollution control board permit, quarries diverting explosives for other purposes, scant disregard for safety protocols including leaving open quarries with precariously exposed and hanging rocks, must also be identified and their permits cancelled.
The Collector also instructed the Regional Transport Office to inspect vehicles to prevent multiple transits with a single permit and also identify vehicles that are evading 50% green tax to transport mined minerals into the neighbouring States.
All violations must be duly identified and punitive action including criminal charges must be initiated, the Collector said.
Published – December 31, 2025 06:49 pm IST
