Patna: In a bid to tackle rampant illegal sand mining and stabilise sand prices for construction, the Patna district administration has initiated the largest sand ghat auction in its history. The Mining and Geology Department has opened the e-auction process for 148 sand ghats along the Ganga, Son, Punpun and Dardha rivers. The leases granted through this auction will remain valid for five years.
This initiative, launched on Tuesday, comes after repeated efforts to curb illegal mining in the district yielded limited results. The 2023 crackdown saw 172 raids, seizure of 414 vehicles, and penalties totalling over ₹48 crore. However, illegal operations persisted.
To encourage fair participation, the sand ghats have been divided into smaller plots of five acres each, opening the door for small traders to enter the mining sector alongside established contractors. According to officials, all ghats included in the auction already have environmental clearances, ensuring transparency and compliance with ecological norms.
The e-auction process is fully digital. Tender documents will be available from May 15, on patna.nic.in, and the deadline for applications is June 12, 2025 at 4 PM. Successful bidders will receive mining permits from November.
The move is also part of the Bihar government’s broader push to regulate the sector. In 2024, the state introduced a stringent law imposing fines of up to ₹10 lakh and cancellation of licences for repeat violations. Still, enforcement has been questioned amid allegations of complicity between local officials and illegal operators.
