Bhubaneswar, Dec. 2 -- In a decisive action against illegal stone transportation, the Balasore district administration on Tuesday imposed Section 163 across the Khajamahal stone quarry in Soro starting today. The move comes after weeks of intensified raids aimed at preventing large-scale stone smuggling during the monsoon.

Balasore District Collector Suryabanshi Mayur Vikas, along with the Sub-Collector, Tehsildar, Mining Officer and Forest Department officials, conducted a detailed inspection of the quarry earlier today. Following the inspection, the Collector ordered immediate enforcement of Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) to curb unauthorised operations.

To strengthen monitoring, authorities have set up a...