Gujarat: Silica Mafia’s Nexus in Bharuch; ₹6,000 Crore Theft, Silicosis Outbreak, and Farmlands Ruined

Report: Multi-Crore Illegal Silica Mining, Pollution, and Administrative Nexus Exposed in Bharuch’s Bhimpor-Jhagadia Belt

Dilip Patel, Ahmedabad June 2026

1. Introduction and Geographical Scope

The silica sand found in the Jhagadia taluka of Bharuch district is considered the finest in terms of quality across India. This silica is a core requirement for several critical industries such as glass, cement, semiconductors, electronic chips, solar panels, and ceramics. However, this precious mineral has now become a curse for the local population and the environment.

Estimated Scope of the Bhimpor-Jhagadia Belt:

• Key Areas: Bhimpor, Damlai, Rajpardi, and Avidha areas.

• Geographical Dimensions: Approximately 12 to 18 km North-South and 4 to 8 km East-West (covering an area of over 1000 hectares).

• Lease Details: There are more than 50 active silica sand leases across Gujarat (although 98% of the reserves are in Kutch, Bharuch remains the primary hub for production). This specific belt hosts 30 to 50 active mining leases alongside countless illegal mining pits.

2. The ₹6,000 Crore Mega-Scam and Legal Violations

Large-scale mining in the Bhimpor belt commenced in the year 2016. Despite Environmental Clearance (EC) being mandatory since 2006, mines have been excavated here illegally without obtaining any form of prior permission.

• Land Classification: This land falls under 73-AA classification meant for the protection of tribal lands, and also includes government land belonging to the Irrigation Department. Illegal mining is operational on this government land without any clearance from the Irrigation Department.

• Estimated Mineral Theft: In this illicit trade running for the past 10 years, it is estimated that minerals worth approximately ₹6,000 crore have been stolen from the Bhimpor belt.

• Production and Value: The historic lease of Bhimpor spans across roughly 178 hectares. While official government records state an annual production capacity of 230,000 tonnes valued at ₹200 crore, in reality, private leaseholders stealthily extract over 100,000 tonnes of silica annually from just 50-120 hectares.

Gold and Silver Earnings during Processing:

During the processing of this silica, small quantities of gold and silver are extracted as byproducts. Companies like Birla Century heat this sand to obtain silicon for glass manufacturing. According to reports, a single factory yields up to 20 kg of gold annually as a byproduct, the economic benefits of which are being siphoned off by influential individuals.

3. GPCB’s Paperwork and Deep-Rooted Corruption

Up to March 17, 2026, officials of the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) had identified 68 illegal units across Jhagadia, Netrang, and Valia. However, due to administrative corruption, no strict action has materialized:

• 44 Units Investigated, 24 Shielded: GPCB inspected only 44 out of the 68 units, keeping 24 units outside the purview of the probe to protect them. It is widely believed that these 24 units belong to influential politicians and high-ranking officials.

• Negligible Notices: Out of the 68 units, only 14 were served notices under environmental laws.

• Probes Shut Down: Investigations into 8 checked units were abruptly halted midway, while the decision to take action against 13 units remains indefinitely stalled.

• Official Collusion: Officials from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) and a GPCB official named Barad reportedly share close ties in this region, allowing this operation to continue under their patronage. Local MP Mansukh Vasava has also maintained total silence on the matter, triggering massive public resentment.

4. Environmental Devastation: Washing Plants and Agricultural Damage

When silica is washed with water, its market price escalates three to four times. To cash in on this profitability, continuous rows of washing plants have been set up along entire roadsides. Along the Rajpardi and Jhagadia routes, and specifically within a mere 1-kilometer stretch from Bhimpor to Zadeswar Chokdi, 50 washing plants are actively operating. Rajpardi alone hosts around 30 such plants, each washing an average of 20,000 tonnes, culminating in 600,000 tonnes of sand washed annually. GMDC has also piled up massive mounds of silica and soil on mines meant for coal extraction.

Impact on Environment and Agriculture:

• Depletion of Water Tables: Each washing plant has bored 3-3 illegal tubewells to extract millions of liters of groundwater. Consequently, the local aquifer and small water bodies have completely dried up. No environmental impact study is conducted for this cluster.

• Toxic Water and Chemicals: Analysis of the wastewater from these plants revealed dangerous metrics: 7.8 pH, 60 mg COD, and 12 mg BOD, confirming extreme pollution levels. None of the operational units possess an Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP).

• Destruction of Crops: Chemical-laden water from the washing plants has flooded 500 acres of fertile agricultural land across Rajpardi, Madhavpura, Sankariya, and Bhimpor. Thick layers of sand have settled over the fields, completely destroying agricultural yields. A formal memorandum has been submitted to the District Collector regarding this crisis.

5. Public Health Crisis: The Deadly Grip of ‘Silicosis’

Due to this unchecked pollution, the entire Jhagadia taluka is facing a severe health emergency. Out of 165 villages in the taluka, 70 villages are directly impacted. The Bhimpor (Rajpardi) region is rapidly turning into a public health catastrophe similar to Khambhat or Ambaji.

• Silicosis Disease: Inhaling fine particles of airborne silica sand and silica powder has caused local residents to fall victim to ‘Silicosis’—an incurable and fatal lung disease—as well as cancer.

• Symptoms: Severe respiratory distress, chronic coughing, and permanent degradation of lung tissue. It remains a terminal illness with no known cure.

6. Economic Analysis: Market Price vs. Government Royalty

While the silica industry generates massive fortunes, the government exchequer receives only a fraction of it. The state government collects a meager ₹50 crore annually in royalty from all mines across Gujarat, while private industrialists pocket billions.

Market Rates of Silica (Per Tonne):

Note: The Bharuch belt produces 1,000,000 tonnes of silica annually. Even at a baseline rate of ₹2,000 per tonne, it represents a direct trade of ₹200 to ₹500 crore. However, Bhimpor’s premium quality silica commands up to ₹10,000 per tonne, making the actual scale of the industry substantially larger.

Regional Dominance and Production Estimates:

1. GMDC Rajpardi Block (150-250 Hectares): Operated under GMDC, extracting 200,000 to 400,000 tonnes of silica annually.

2. Damlai Area (80-150 Hectares): Managed by the Rinku Group, mining 100,000 to 200,000 tonnes of silica every year.

3. Govali Processing Zone (20-40 Hectares): Controlled by SMDC, processing around 100,000 tonnes of material annually.

4. Other Hubs: Sultanpura (Silica mining zone), Samni (Private mining & processing), and Dahej-Vagra (Processing & downstream silica industries).

7. Current Projects and Administrative Apathy

In the midst of this deteriorating situation, a new state-of-the-art silica washing, screening, and drying unit with a capacity of 18,000 TPA (Tonnes Per Annum) was initiated in Bhimpor in January 2025 at a cost of ₹165 crore. The construction concluded in March 2025. Its proposal for environmental clearance has been submitted to the State Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA).

Concurrently, the monitoring committee of the District Mineral Foundation (DMF) has failed to deliver any substantial welfare or development projects for the mining-affected communities. Although the then Collector Gaurang Makwana allocated ₹2 crore 20 lakh for 6 specific pollution control and remediation projects, these works remain completely stalled and incomplete.

8. Conclusion

The Bhimpor-Jhagadia silica belt in Bharuch stands as a glaring testament to administrative negligence, political patronage, and environmental crime. If illegal washing plants are not dismantled immediately, groundwater exploitation is not halted, and Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs) are not made strictly mandatory, this region will soon become completely uninhabitable, exposing thousands more to terminal conditions like silicosis.