RTO Pune Cracks Down on Vehicles Involved in illegal Sand Mining, Repeat Offenders Face Cancellation

Pune, 27th October 2025: In a bid to curb rampant illegal sand mining and transportation, the Regional Transport Office (RTO), Pune, has launched a strict crackdown on vehicles involved in the unauthorized excavation, transport, and use of sand and other minor minerals.

The move follows directions from the Hon’ble State Transport Authority (STA), Mumbai, and the Transport Commissioner’s Office as part of a state-wide initiative to enforce the Maharashtra Minor Mineral (Development and Regulation) Rules, 2013. These rules were introduced by the State Revenue and Forest Department to prevent illegal extraction and movement of sand across Maharashtra.

According to Regional Transport Officer Archana Gaikwad, any vehicle found engaged in illegal sand-related activities will face immediate departmental action under Section 86 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. The law empowers authorities to suspend or cancel the licenses of vehicles used for such unlawful operations.
Under the new directive, vehicles caught for the first time will face a 30-day suspension of their permit and seizure, while repeat offenders will face a 60-day suspension. Habitual offenders will have their licenses permanently cancelled, and the vehicles will be impounded.

The order will be strictly implemented in areas under the jurisdiction of RTO Pune, including Pimpri-Chinchwad and Baramati.

“This initiative aims to send a strong message against the misuse of vehicles in illegal mining activities. Vehicle owners and transport operators must ensure that their vehicles are not used for any unlawful purpose,” said RTO officer Archana Gaikwad.

The RTO has also appealed to citizens to report any suspicious vehicle movements related to sand transport. It has urged the media to widely publicize this information to raise public awareness.