Mumbai, September 15 (Daily Kiran) : Maharashtra’s Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis took a significant step towards digital governance on September 15, 2026, by launching ‘Mahakhanij 2.0’ during a cabinet meeting. This advanced digital portal, developed by the Revenue Department, aims to bring transparency, efficiency, and real-time monitoring to the mining, transportation, and permitting of minor minerals in the state.
The previous version of Mahakhanij contributed nearly ₹16,000 crore to the state treasury over the past five years. The upgraded ‘Mahakhanij 2.0’ system aims to collect ₹25,000 crore in revenue over the next five years.
Traditionally, the administration of minor minerals relied heavily on manual processes and paperwork, leading to significant operational challenges. To address these issues, Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule initiated this digital transformation. The new system will eliminate paper transport permits entirely, replacing them with a fully digital permit system based on QR codes and barcodes, streamlining the licensing process.
Vehicles transporting minerals will be monitored live using GPS, Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and geofencing. If a vehicle deviates from its designated route, an automatic alert will be triggered. According to government statements, artificial intelligence and video analytics will expedite administrative decisions.
A centralized 24/7 monitoring center will operate from Konkan Bhavan to oversee mining permits, vehicle movements, and mining activities across the state. The Konkan Division Commissioner has been appointed as the ‘State Coordinator’ for this initiative.
Advanced surveying technologies, including drones, LiDAR, bathymetric surveys, and remote sensing, will provide accurate mapping and assessment of mining sites, helping to prevent illegal mining and unauthorized transportation. The system will automatically impose fines based on the type of violation. Digitized site inspection reports, notices, and penalty collections will eliminate human intervention, ensuring complete transparency.
‘Mahakhanij 2.0’ seamlessly integrates with major government platforms such as vehicle databases, land records, DigiLocker, BPMs, CCTV networks, and automatic weighbridges. A dedicated grievance redressal system and a 24/7 call center (08065070555) have been established to address public and business inquiries.
Additionally, each district collectorate will have a dedicated district executive appointed. Minister Bawankule noted that specially designed Android and iOS applications for field officers and staff represent a crucial step toward Maharashtra’s broader ‘Digital India’ transformation.
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