Archive · 4 Sep 2026
Khandwa Murum Allegations Prompt Probe Into Transport Nagar Work
Officials in Khandwa are checking claims about soil called murum being dug up from government land.
The land is meant for a planned Transport Nagar.
A local opposition leader says some of the murum was sold to private colonies instead.
He also questioned whether public money was properly used.
The corporation received permission to extract 10,000 cubic metres of murum in January 2026.
It paid Rs 5 lakh in royalty and awarded a Rs 35 lakh excavation and transport contract.
The district collector has asked the mineral department to investigate.
The municipal commissioner says the murum is being taken to Transport Nagar and that the work is being monitored.
Leader of Opposition Mullu Rathore alleged illegal excavation and sale of murum from the corporation’s 27-acre Sihada Road land.
Rathore claimed the material intended for Transport Nagar was being supplied to private colonisers.
The Khandwa civic body reportedly spent nearly Rs 40 lakh on murum excavation and transportation, including Rs 5 lakh in royalty.
The collector directed the mineral department to investigate the allegations and take appropriate action.
Municipal commissioner Priyanka Rajawat said the murum was being transported for Transport Nagar and that monitoring was underway.
- Who
- Khandwa civic officials, Leader of Opposition Mullu Rathore, Collector Rishav Gupta, the mineral department, and contractor Pankaj Sharma.
- What
- Allegations have been made that murum excavated from corporation land was illegally sold to private colonisers instead of being used for Transport Nagar.
- When
- The corporation sought permission in January 2026; machinery was reportedly observed operating at the site on Wednesday.
- Where
- On the Khandwa Municipal Corporation’s 27-acre land on Sihada Road, with alleged use at a colony on Indore Road.
- Why
- The allegations concern possible illegal excavation, misuse of public funds, loss of government revenue, and transportation beyond the permitted period.
Allegations and Concerns
Municipal Corporation Response
Destination of Murum
Allegations and Concerns
Mullu Rathore alleged that murum from the corporation’s land was being transported to private colonies rather than being used for Transport Nagar.
Municipal Corporation Response
Municipal commissioner Priyanka Rajawat said the murum was being transported for Transport Nagar.
Legality and Revenue
Allegations and Concerns
Rathore alleged excavation beyond the permitted period, misuse of public funds, and loss of government revenue.
Municipal Corporation Response
Rajawat said royalty checks and action against illegal transportation fall under the mineral department, which has been directed to investigate.
Evidence and Oversight
Allegations and Concerns
Rathore cited photographs and videos that he said showed murum being used at a colony on Indore Road.
Municipal Corporation Response
The municipal commissioner said monitoring of the transportation was underway.
- Site
- A 27-acre corporation-owned site on Sihada Road in Khandwa
- Planned use
- Filling the proposed Transport Nagar
- Approved quantity
- 10,000 cubic metres of murum
- Royalty deposited
- Rs 5 lakh
- Excavation contract
- Rs 35 lakh awarded to Pankaj Sharma
- Reported machinery
- Two JCB machines, one poclain, and around eight dumpers
- Investigation
- Collector Rishav Gupta directed the mineral department to investigate