Srinagar, December 18: The Jammu and Kashmir government has made it mandatory for all mineral transport vehicles operating in the Union Territory to install GPS tracking systems and RFID tags, setting January 26 as the deadline for compliance.
Officials said the move aims to curb illegal mining, prevent pilferage of minerals, and ensure greater transparency in the transportation of mineral resources. The decision forms part of the government’s broader efforts to strengthen monitoring mechanisms and improve revenue collection.
Under the new directive, vehicles engaged in the transportation of minerals such as sand, gravel, and stone will not be allowed to operate without functional GPS devices and RFID tags linked to the designated monitoring system.
The authorities said real-time tracking will help keep a check on route deviations, unauthorised transportation, and overloading, while also enabling better enforcement by concerned departments.
Vehicle owners and leaseholders have been advised to complete the installation process well before the deadline to avoid penalties or restrictions on operations. Strict action, including fines and seizure of vehicles, may be taken against defaulters after January 26.
The government has reiterated that the measure is intended to promote legal mining practices, protect natural resources, and ensure accountability across the mineral transportation sector in Jammu and Kashmir.
