Sand Mafia Tightens Grip in Rayagada : Administrative Lapses Raise Alarms
Rayagada : The sand mafia appears to be operating unchecked across Rayagada district, exploiting administrative inaction and inter-departmental disconnect to smuggle large quantities of sand—primarily from the Nagavali River—into neighboring Andhra Pradesh. The situation has reportedly shocked the district administration, the Mines Department, and other officials, raising serious concerns over revenue loss and law enforcement inefficiency.
The Nagavali River, a vital natural resource for residents of the Rayagada sub-division, has become a hotspot for illegal sand extraction. Areas such as Hat Seskhal , Turihansa village, and Jemadei Pentha have become active sand mining zones, with thousands of tipper trucks smuggling sand out of the district every month.
A recent ground investigation revealed trucks loaded with sand parked without proper documentation or royalty permits. When questioned, Mining Officer Shri Parsuram Pradhan and Principal Mine Officer Mr. Satyajit Rout stated that no prior information was received from local police stations, indicating a breakdown in communication between the police, revenue, and mining departments.
Further anomalies were uncovered during a review of sand transportation records dated April 10, 2025. Vehicles such as two-wheelers and Tata Magic vans—unsuitable for sand transport—had online slot bookings, while multiple routes were being used without departmental authorization or royalty clearance.
Locals allege that brokers tied to the sand mafia are extorting money by selling sand at inflated prices, leaving genuine consumers helpless. Despite widespread smuggling, local tehsildars failed to provide satisfactory responses.
Public outrage has prompted appeals to the State Mines Department Commissioner, demanding immediate and strict action against complicit officials and the sand mafia network. The alleged revenue loss runs into thousands of crores, making this one of the most serious administrative lapses in recent times.
