The Tripura government has brought a major administrative change in the regulation of sand mining by transferring responsibility for the sector from the Forest Department to the Department of Industries & Commerce.
The change came into force on September 1, 2026, according to a public notice issued by the Directorate of Industries & Commerce.
With the new arrangement, the Industries & Commerce Department will oversee various aspects of sand mining, including processing applications, issuing and extending permissions, approving mining plans, executing mining leases or deeds, and handling other related regulatory and administrative matters.
The Directorate has directed existing sand mining operators, prospective applicants, lease holders and other stakeholders to approach the Industries & Commerce Department for all sand mining-related applications and matters from September 1 onwards. Such applications will have to be submitted through the prescribed procedure and in accordance with the applicable rules, guidelines and government orders.
The notice also clarified that the Forest Department will no longer function as the competent authority for granting sand mining permissions or approvals. However, it will continue to exercise powers in matters that fall within its statutory jurisdiction or where specific directions are issued by the state government.
The Directorate of Industries & Commerce has asked all concerned parties to take note of the administrative change and extend cooperation to ensure a smooth transition and implementation of the new system.
The public notice was digitally signed on September 2, 2026, by Dr. Deepak Kumar, IAS, Director, Department of Industries & Commerce, Government of Tripura.
