Dhanbad: The Dhanbad administration has warned that circle officers and station house officers will be held accountable if illegal mining or dumping of debris is detected along Jamunia, Katri and Damodar rivers.The directive was issued by deputy commissioner Aditya Ranjan Ranjan, who ordered joint inspections by the district mining officer, district transport officer and departments concerned. The teams must report whether illegal mining or overburden dumping (disposal of rocks, soil and vegetation to access coal seams) occurred, is continuing or is likely. Any violation will make the CO and SHO concerned directly responsible, the directive said.Calling OB dumping along riverbanks “as serious an offence as illegal mining”, Ranjan directed officials to lodge FIRs against offenders and undertake large-scale plantation drives along vulnerable riverbanks to prevent illegal mining and protect the aquatic ecosystem. The administration said coal-carrying vehicles must not operate without proper covering. The DTO was directed to form dedicated inspection teams.The administration said coal-carrying vehicles must not operate without proper covering. The DTO was directed to form dedicated inspection teams.Authorities of Bharat Coking Coal Ltd (BCCL) said 11 illegal mine openings near the Jamunia were sealed with concrete blocks, and more closures are underway. Ranjan directed the mining officer to inspect the sites and submit a report.The mining officer reported that 95 vehicles carrying minor minerals were seized, 13 FIRs registered and Rs 28.67 lakh recovered in 2025-26 for violation of the Jharkhand Minor Mineral Concession (JMMC) Rules. In illegal mining and transportation cases, 106 FIRs were registered, 76 vehicles seized, 1,085.40 tonnes of coal confiscated and 32 people arrested. Up to May this year, 26 FIRs were registered, 40 vehicles seized, 190.5 tonnes of coal confiscated and 5 arrested.BCCL said drone surveillance from Sept 2025 to May 2026 detected 446 illegal mining instances, leading to action in 201 cases and recovery of 53 tonnes of coal. Ranjan directed the mining task force, revenue and police officers to intensify raids, register FIRs and curb illegal mining, transportation and storage.
