The mines and geology department has geared up to check illegal sand trading in the state in view of the restrictions on its mining for three months till September 30. The districts have been directed to keep buffer stocks. Teams have been constituted to conduct raids on the illegal miners and black-marketers.
There are many licensed mining areas in the districts like Patna, Bhojpur, Saran, Vaishali, Jamui, Rohtas, Aurangabad, Gaya and Lakhisarai. Besides, small mining fields are there in Madhepura, Kishanganj and Banka districts. Just a couple of days earlier, two task force teams were formed to keep a vigil on the riverbanks of Patna, Bhojpur, Saran, Vaishali, Rohtas, Arwal, Aurangabad and Gaya. District mining task force will be formed under Rule 74 of BiharMinerals (Concession and Prevention of Illegal Mining, Transport & Storage) Rules, 2019 in each district in coming days under the supervision of district magistrates. The team will comprise SP and district planning officer. The department also has its own boats for river patrolling, including 4 in Patna, 3 in Bhojpur, 3 in Vaisali andSarandistricts. Besides, the boats of state Disaster Management department and vehicles provided by the District Administration are also used in patrolling and raids.