Bihar To Introduce Helpline For Sand Supply Amid Construction Challenges

Patna: The Bihar government is set to implement a new system to address issues related to sand supply in ongoing construction projects. Residents facing difficulties in obtaining sand will soon be able to contact mining officers directly via a dedicated helpline. The Mines and Geology Department will release the contact numbers of these officers in the coming days.

Deputy Chief Minister and Mines and Geology Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha announced the initiative during a review meeting held at his office on Tuesday. The minister also revealed plans to restore the system of online sand purchase, aiming to streamline access to construction materials.

The review meeting was attended by Principal Secretary Narmadeshwar Lal, along with Mineral Development Officers and Mine Inspectors from all districts.

In a bid to curb illegal mining, the minister announced incentives for both officials and informants. District Mineral Development Officers and Mine Inspectors who demonstrate exemplary performance in combating illegal mining will be rewarded. Additionally, individuals who provide actionable information about illegal mining activities will also be compensated. Informants will receive ₹10,000 for reporting trucks involved in illegal mining and ₹5,000 for tractors.

However, the meeting also highlighted areas requiring improvement. Five districts—Vaishali, Jehanabad, Buxar, Munger, and Muzaffarpur—were identified for poor revenue collection, whereas districts like Jamui showed exemplary performance. The state has achieved over 120% of its penalty collection target. Officers in districts with strong performance will be rewarded, while those falling short of expectations face disciplinary action.

The minister emphasized that illegal mining and overloading have been brought under control to a significant extent. However, he warned that officers failing to act on complaints regarding trucks and tractors operating without number plates will face strict consequences. District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police have been instructed to take stringent measures against such violations.

During the meeting, Sinha also reviewed tenders for iron ore and limestone mining, marking a significant step in Bihar’s mining sector. For the first time, the state has ventured into large-scale mining operations, a move expected to bolster revenue generation in the current financial year.