KALYAN: In a major drive against illegal mining, the Revenue Department has sealed 24 stone quarries and crusher units in the Kalyan region and registered an FIR against operators of nine units for allegedly carrying out unauthorised excavation.
The case has been filed at the Kalyan Taluka police station following inspections led by Sub-Divisional Officer Vishwas Gujar across multiple mining and industrial sites within the taluka.
Violations uncovered
During the inspection drive, officials examined quarry leases, stone crusher units, ready-mix concrete (RMC) plants and asphalt facilities.
Authorities found that at least nine quarries and crusher units were operating without mandatory government permissions.
Based on these findings, mandal officer Preeti Ghude lodged a complaint, leading to the registration of a police case against the operators.
Regulatory lapses
Apart from unlicensed operations, several units with valid permissions were also found violating norms.
Officials reported discrepancies such as:
- Failure to maintain labour records
- Mismatches in excavation measurements
Impact on construction work
The crackdown has affected road construction activities in Thane district, as contractors depend heavily on these quarries and plants for raw materials.
Allegations by operators
Meanwhile, at least one unit owner—who claimed to have valid permissions—alleged that the action was intended to harass operators, though authorities maintain the drive is aimed at enforcing compliance and curbing illegal mining activities.
