Illegal Mining Allegations Rock Tawi River Belt; Firm Seeks Immediate Crackdown on Stone Crusher Operations

Fresh Complaint Alleges Unauthorised Extraction, Revenue Loss and Environmental Damage; Questions Raised Over Enforcement in Tawi River Mining Zone

• Choudhary Power Projects Pvt. Ltd. submits fresh complaint to Geology and Mining Department alleging illegal mining activity by M/S B.N. Stone Crusher at Tawi River, Jammu
• Complaint alleges unauthorised extraction of minor minerals during restricted late night and early morning hours, causing loss to the State Exchequer and environmental degradation
• GPS tagged photographs and video evidence submitted along with demand for immediate inspection and strict legal action against alleged violators

By Mohit Mehra

Jammu, June 12, 2026: Fresh allegations of illegal mining in the Tawi River have triggered serious concerns over mineral extraction practices and enforcement mechanisms in Jammu district after a prominent private company formally approached the Geology and Mining Department seeking immediate intervention against a stone crusher unit operating in the river belt.

In a written communication addressed to the District Mineral Officer, Department of Geology and Mining, Jammu, Choudhary Power Projects Pvt. Ltd. has alleged that M/S B.N. Stone Crusher, situated at the Tawi River, is involved in unauthorised extraction of minor minerals, particularly during restricted late night and early morning hours. The complaint has also been marked to the Director, Geology and Mining Department, Jammu for information and necessary action.

The complaint, bearing No. CPPPL/MINING/2026-27/1906 dated June 12, 2026, describes itself as a reminder regarding alleged illegal mining activities and urges authorities to conduct an immediate inspection of the site. According to the company, the alleged operations are causing substantial loss to Government revenue by evading royalty payments and bypassing mandatory monitoring and compliance requirements under mining regulations.

The complainant has further alleged that apart from financial implications, the activities are contributing to environmental degradation, safety risks and noise pollution, adversely affecting local residents living in the surrounding areas. The company has sought strict legal action against those responsible and requested authorities to take urgent measures to curb illegal mining and safeguard public resources.

Supporting its allegations, the company has submitted GPS tagged photographs and video recordings purportedly showing mining activity and excavation in the Tawi River area. The images attached with the complaint display extensive excavation zones, mineral deposits, water channels and stone crushing infrastructure, with GPS coordinates indicating locations in the Jammu region.

The complaint was also forwarded electronically to the official email addresses of the District Mineral Officer and the Directorate of Geology and Mining on June 12, 2026, along with supporting video evidence.

The development has once again brought the issue of mining regulation and monitoring in riverbeds into focus. Environmental experts have repeatedly cautioned that unchecked and unauthorised extraction of minerals from river systems can alter natural water flow patterns, weaken river ecology, increase erosion risks and create long term environmental challenges.

The allegations are yet to be independently verified by Jammu Jottings. No official response from the Geology and Mining Department or from M/S B.N. Stone Crusher was available at the time of filing this report.

The complaint has, however, raised significant questions regarding the effectiveness of monitoring mechanisms in sensitive mining zones and whether illegal extraction activities, if established during investigation, could be causing substantial losses to public revenue while damaging the fragile ecology of the Tawi River.

All eyes are now on the Geology and Mining Department to determine whether a formal inspection will be conducted and what action, if any, follows the serious allegations levelled in the complaint.