Patna: The Bihar government is moving to tighten control over illegal sand mining and transportation with the introduction of technology-driven monitoring at the state’s borders. The Mines and Geology Department is preparing to install Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems at major border check posts.
The initiative aims to curb the movement of sand from neighbouring states and improve transparency in mineral transportation. Vehicles carrying sand will have their number plates automatically scanned and linked to a central database, allowing authorities to instantly verify permits, e-challans, and travel routes. Alerts will be triggered if vehicles lack valid documentation or stray from designated paths, enabling immediate enforcement.
The ANPR system forms part of a broader strategy that includes GPS-based vehicle tracking, drone and satellite surveillance, and enhanced district-level enforcement teams. CCTV cameras have already been installed at sensitive river ghats and border points, with plans for further expansion.
Officials said the reliance on technology would reduce human intervention and the risk of corruption, while also protecting river ecosystems and preventing revenue losses. Illegal sand mining has previously contributed to riverbed erosion, damaged embankments, and environmental degradation in the region.
The state government has pledged strict legal action against vehicle owners, drivers, and officials found complicit in sand theft. Authorities believe the ANPR system will significantly curb the illegal sand trade in Bihar.
