In a significant development, mineral mafias have allegedly duped the Naya Raipur Development Authority (NRDA) of billions of rupees through illegal murum mining activities, causing a substantial financial burden on the State Government. The land in question, about 500 acre, was allocated for the ambitious Naya Raipur project, a dream initiative of the Chhattisgarh State Government. This land, purchased from private farmers across 27 villages, was earmarked for various state departments, including the Ministry Secretariat, the ChiefMinister and Ministers’ residences, government offices, railway station, and entertainment parks, among others. However, the land, especially in areas around Arang and Abhanpur development blocks, has been reduced to deep pits due to rampant mining by mineral mafias. Despite several complaints and attempts to curb this illegal activity, responsible officers and employees from the concerned departments have allegedly failed to act, allowing the situation to escalate. This large-scale illegal murum mining has left the state government facing significant financial losses. The responsible officers’ failure to take timely and strict action against the mining mafia has further compounded the problem. While some actions were taken in the past, such as pressuring the Mineral Department to seize stolen vehicles, these efforts were insufficient to stop the illegal activity.

 

With hundreds of trucks and machines working on illegal mining operations, the mafia’s brazenness has only grown. Sarpanchs from affected villages, including Bhuneshu Yadav of Navagaon and Chandravijay Markande of Rico, have voiced their concerns repeatedly, stating that they have made several written and verbal complaints to both the Mineral Department and NRDA. Despite their efforts, including catching vehicles at night and reporting them, no action have been taken. As a result, Sarpanchs in the area are being unjustly blamed for the illegal mining activities, tarnishing their reputations. The issue has worsened over the last few years, with illegal mining operations expanding into areas near key locations such as the container yard, Satya Sai Hospital, Pardhi Dera, and the railway station. In just five villages, including Navagaon, Rico, Kayabandha, and Chhatauna, an estimated loss worth billions has been incurred by the state government.

 

If an investigation were to be conducted across all 27 villages, the losses could reach trillions of rupees. Local officials and residents have expressed frustration over the Mineral Department’s inaction, with some claiming that the illegal operations are being carried out with the tacit approval of authorities. Repeated attempts to contact the Mineral Collector, Kishore Golghote, for a response have gone unanswered. The villagers and Sarpanchs are urging the state government to take immediate and concrete steps to address the issue, including the seizure of vehicles involved in illegal mining and the recovery of damages by measuring the depth of the mining pits. They also demand action against the contractors and vehicle owners responsible for these illegal activities to put an end to the ongoing plundering of resources in the NRDA area.