In a strongly worded letter to Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, former minister and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader Pritiranjan Ghadai has raised serious concerns over the persistent illegal chromite mining in the Sukinda Valley of Jajpur district.
Highlighting the unchecked theft of valuable mineral resources, Ghadai has urged the Chief Minister to take immediate and stringent action to curb these illicit activities, which are causing significant revenue losses to the state and damaging the environment.
In his letter, Ghadai detailed the ongoing illegal mining operations in the Sukinda Chromite Block-1, where approximately 20 individuals have been involved in chromite theft for several months. This area falls under the jurisdiction of the Ransol Forest Office and the Sukinda Forest Range within the Cuttack Forest Division. Despite this, the illegal activities continue unabated, raising questions about the administration’s inaction. On May 27, 2025, a joint forest squad conducted a raid in the region, but it failed to yield any significant impact, with chromite theft persisting.
Ghadai further pointed out that “rat-hole mining”—a dangerous and illegal method involving digging small tunnels to extract minerals—is rampant in four to five locations within the Mahagiri DPF area. These activities, which began in August 2024, are concentrated near Kakudia village and the Kankadapal Gram Panchayat area. The former minister expressed frustration over the ineffectiveness of the District Mining Security Squad, comprising officials from the mining, police, forest, and revenue departments, in halting these illegal operations.
The Sukinda Valley, one of India’s primary chromite mining regions, plays a crucial role in the economy of both Odisha and the nation. However, illegal mining has led to substantial revenue losses for the government and severe environmental degradation. Ghadai criticised the Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) and the district administration for failing to take adequate measures to protect this valuable resource.
In his appeal, Ghadai urged Chief Minister Majhi to intervene immediately and implement strict legal measures to safeguard the chromite reserves of Sukinda Valley. He emphasised the need for robust action to stop the looting of mineral wealth, protect the environment, and ensure the state does not suffer further financial losses.
The issue of illegal mining in Sukinda Valley has long been a concern, with local communities and environmentalists repeatedly highlighting the ecological damage caused by such activities. The continued theft of chromite not only undermines the state’s economy but also poses a threat to the fragile ecosystem of the region. As pressure mounts on the administration, all eyes are on Chief Minister Majhi to see how the government will respond to this pressing crisis.
