In a proactive move, the Yogi Adityanath government has implemented artificial intelligence (AI) technology to clamp down on illegal mining and minerals’ transportation in Uttar Pradesh. The Geology and Mining department has installed unmanned AI and Internet of Things (IoT) based check gates statewide.
In the past two years, enforcement actions have been taken in over 24,000 cases using AI, IoT, and the M Check App. During this period, more than Rs 316 crore has been collected as mitigation cost. Eight teams have been formed in each district to effectively combat illegal mining and its transportation.
At present, while AI has started having substantial interference in various sectors, including industry, trade, education and entertainment, it is now also being used in the campaign against illegal mining and its transportation.
According to data released by the Geology and Mining department, 55 unmanned AI and IoT-based check gates have been installed on major routes in 25 districts of the state. These check gates, equipped with advanced hardware and software, verify the legality of mineral transport forms in real-time.
Positioned at hotspot locations, all check gates are linked to command centres, including the department’s directorate and district-level command centres.
In addition, the M Check app has been instrumental in effectively curbing illegal mining and transportation of minerals. This Android-based mobile application is equipped with features for scanning mineral transportation forms, obtaining vehicle-related data, processing information and wireless transmission. Moreover, RFID hand-held readers have been provided to district officers across the state, further enhancing enforcement capabilities.
The officials of the department reported that in the financial year 2022-23, enforcement actions leveraging AI were carried out in 9,092 cases, resulting in the recovery of Rs 38.48 crore. In the following year, 2023-24, actions were taken in 13,374 cases, yielding a mitigation fee of Rs 53.07 crore.
For the current financial year up to June, enforcement actions were executed in 1,865 cases, collecting penalties amounting to Rs 6.51 crore. Additionally, using the M Check app, enforcement actions in 2022-23 covered 19,190 cases, collecting Rs 80.07 crore in penalties. In 2023-24, there were 26,606 enforcement actions, resulting in the collection of Rs 108.60 crore.
As of June this year, enforcement actions were taken in 7,546 cases, bringing in Rs 30.13 crore. Overall, the department has collected a total penalty of Rs 316.86 crore so far.
