Jaipur, Jan. 1 -- A large-scale crackdown on illegal mining in the Aravalli hill region has led to the seizure of 12 excavators, 137 vehicles and over 7,000 tonnes of minerals within two days, with authorities registering 14 FIRs, making one arrest and recovering more than Rs.28 lakh in penalties, officials said. In Paliyana area of Alwar district, a Jaipur-based team led by superintending engineer NS Shaktawat initiated proceedings to impose penalties of over Rs.73 lakh against a private company allegedly involved in illegal soil mining for a six-lane highway project. Similar action was taken in Tonk, where one excavator and four dumpers were seized from a private company allegedly engaged in illegal mining for a railway track project. In Nagaur, mining engineer Jai Godara seized two tractor-trolleys allegedly carrying illegally transported gravel in Riabadi and two dumpers transporting chajja stone in Khinvsar, imposing penalties of around Rs.3.5 lakh. In Jodhpur's Badli area, a drone survey was conducted over a 40-hectare sandstone quarry lease to assess illegal mining activities. Principal secretary (Mines) T Ravikant said that the joint campaign, launched on December 29 on the directions of chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, has resulted in more than 155 enforcement actions in two days. Over 150 equipment and vehicles have been confiscated and handed over to local police stations. htc...