Chandigarh, October 15 — The Punjab Cabinet has approved an amendment to the Punjab Minor Mineral Rules, 2013, introducing an entry fee on vehicles carrying minerals such as sand and gravel from neighbouring states. Officials said the move will curb illegal mining and plugging revenue leakages that have long hurt the state’s mining sector.
Under the new “Inter-State Mining Truck Entry Fee Policy,” vehicles entering Punjab from Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Jammu & Kashmir will now be required to pay a prescribed fee. The collected funds will be used to upgrade and maintain border checkposts equipped with advanced technology, including Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras, QR-code vehicle passes, and digital monitoring systems to track every truck’s movement.
“This step will end the free run of illegally mined material entering Punjab without paying due charges,” said a senior official, adding that the system would also ensure “complete transparency and accountability” in mineral transport.
The government has said that each truck will receive a digital receipt upon payment of the entry fee to prevent irregularities and corruption. Officials said the reform would not only support lawful mining operators who had been facing unfair competition but also strengthen the state’s finances.
According to the state government, the revenue generated through the fee will also support infrastructure development, including road repairs and environmental restoration projects in mining-affected regions.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has maintained that his government’s priority is transparent and technology-driven governance. “This initiative reflects our commitment to protect Punjab’s resources while ensuring fair business practices,” he said, adding that illegal mining has caused both environmental damage and economic loss to the state.
The new entry fee policy, officials said, marks a significant shift in Punjab’s approach to mineral regulation — one that blends fiscal discipline with environmental protection.
