Gurugram deputy commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav on Friday issued directions to prevent illegal mining and construction activities in the Aravalli region, officials aware of the matter said, adding that he stressed the need for increased vigilance and strict action against the perpetrators.
Residents of their destroyed homes after a demolition drive was carried out by the Municipal Corporation of Faridabad on its land in Khori village in the Aravalli region, in Faridabad in 2021. (HT Photo)
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Officials were also directed to seize vehicles carrying illegal mining materials.
Yadav, in a meeting, said prevention of illegal construction, particularly around the Raisina hills is a prime concern. “Instructions were given to sub-divisional magistrate Sohna, Sonu Bhatt, to personally inspect the hilly areas of the sub-division and put a stop to any unauthorised construction. If any illegal structures are being built on government land in the Aravalli area, action should be taken under the PLP [Punjab Land Preservation] Act,” said Yadav.
Regional officer Vijay Chaudhary of the pollution control board said that three individuals have been issued notices under the PLP Act for illegal construction in the non-viable hilly areas of Sohna. “Actions to demolish these structures have already been initiated,” he said.
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Bhanu Pratap, inspector mining department said that three dumpers carrying illegal mining materials were seized this month, resulting in fines amounting to ₹6,94,707.
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Bhanu Pratap, inspector mining department said that three dumpers carrying illegal mining materials were seized this month, resulting in fines amounting to ₹6,94,707.
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Gajendra Singh, secretary of regional transport authority said that fines amounting to ₹90 lakh have been imposed on overloaded vehicles this month. Yadav directed the RTA secretary to immediately seize any heavy vehicle transporting illegal mining materials.
Yadav said directions were given to form dedicated vigilance teams that will crack down on vehicles transporting illegally mined items via road and those found involved in overloading.
“These teams will impose fines on such vehicles. Bhondsi, Sohna, Panchgaon, Pataudi, Farrukhnagar and a few other neighbouring places are vulnerable to such activities and the teams will remain alert in these places,” he added.
Leena Dhankhar is Senior Editor and Bureau Chief, Gurugram, at Hindustan Times, where she has spent over 17 years chronicling the transformation of one of India's fastest-growing urban regions. From starting her career as a crime reporter to leading the Gurugram bureau, her journalism has been defined by investigative reporting, in-depth storytelling and an unwavering focus on public interest.
Over nearly two decades, she has reported extensively across crime, politics, civic governance, elections, real estate, environment, courts, sports, education and entertainment, covering Gurugram, Faridabad, Nuh and Palwal. Her reporting has exposed several major scams and systemic failures, including insurance frauds, waste management irregularities, illegal arms manufacturing units in Nuh, illegal mining in the Aravallis, organised crime networks and governance lapses affecting millions of residents.
Known for her investigative work and exclusive stories, Leena has reported on high-impact national issues, including the Nicaragua charter flight carrying Indian migrants that was turned back amid allegations of human trafficking, exposing the growing network of illegal immigration rackets. Her work has also focused on gang wars, prison administration, juvenile crime, women and child protection systems, the functioning of the Juvenile Justice Board and Child Welfare Committee, and environmental challenges such as pollution, waterlogging and deteriorating civic infrastructure.
Beyond hard news, Leena has extensively documented Haryana's rich heritage, forests and wildlife, bringing attention to the state's historical landmarks, biodiversity, conservation efforts and ecological challenges through immersive reportage and feature writing.
Her journalism has consistently gone beyond breaking news. She has documented Gurugram's rapid urbanisation through long-form narratives and enterprise reporting on issues ranging from pothole-ridden roads, flooding and waste management to the changing social fabric of India's Millennium City. She also writes widely read feature columns, including The Outsider, Changemaker, and Concern for Gurugram, profiling people, places and ideas shaping the city's identity.
Leena is the author of Gurugram School Murder, published by Juggernaut Books, a deeply reported account of one of India's most high-profile school murder investigations. She is currently working on her second book, an investigative work exploring some of India's most significant scams and fraud investigations.
Beyond print journalism, she has expanded her storytelling through public speaking and digital media. She is a TEDx speaker and has produced podcasts exploring Gurugram's transformation, civic challenges and untold stories. Her work reflects a commitment to narrative journalism that combines rigorous reporting with compelling storytelling.
A law graduate with an MBA in Human Resources, Leena brings a multidisciplinary perspective to her reporting, particularly on governance, public policy and legal affairs. She has travelled extensively across India to pursue investigative assignments, often reporting from remote locations and conflict-prone areas in search of stories that matter.
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