Telangana Cracks Down on Illegal Sand Transport, Imposes ₹14.28 Lakh in Fines

To minimize human intervention and strengthen surveillance in sand transport, the government plans to introduce IT-based monitoring solutions within the next 30 to 45 days.

Telangana Strengthens Sand Transport Regulations, Collects ₹14.28 Lakh in Fines

Hyderabad: In a decisive crackdown on illegal sand transport, the Telangana government inspected 1,222 sand-laden vehicles between February 1 and 12, booking 136 cases, seizing 111 vehicles, and suspending 21 driving licenses. Authorities collected ₹14.28 lakh in fines for violations such as overloading and operating without valid waybills.

Earlier this week, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy conducted a high-level review meeting on sand supply and instructed officials to ensure availability at affordable prices while increasing state revenue. Following his directives, senior officials from the transport, police, and mines & geology departments held multiple discussions to streamline sand excavation and distribution.

Crackdown on Illegal Sand Mining

To curb unauthorized sand transport, district collectors and law enforcement have been conducting surprise inspections, particularly between 11 PM and 6 AM, when illegal sand movement is most active. Officials have intensified monitoring across three shifts to prevent unlawful extraction.

Strict Directives for Sand Contractors

Sand contractors were directed to double or even triple sand extraction and transportation within the stipulated period. Authorities mandated a single entry and exit point at sand stockyards and reaches to improve efficiency. Additionally, the government set ambitious revenue targets for 2025-26, warning contractors that any deviation from regulations could result in contract cancellations and blacklisting.

Transport lorry owners were also advised to scale up bookings to accommodate the increased supply. The government has extended online booking slots, allowing round-the-clock availability starting February 14 to ensure equitable access.

Tech-Driven Monitoring to Eliminate Irregularities

To enhance transparency and curb human interference, the government plans to implement IT-based monitoring solutions within the next 30 to 45 days. The initiative includes:

High-mast HD CCTV cameras with a 1 km range
Vehicle tracking systems
Unmanned weighbridges
GPS and RFID tagging for tippers
A command control system with ANPR cameras and boom barriers

The Telangana government’s intensified focus on sand transport regulation is expected to streamline operations, prevent illegal activities, and create a fair and transparent system for all stakeholders.