Sand ban impacts construction works in Tirupati

Tirupati: The ban impact on sand is being felt on the construction activity for the last few days in the district.

It may be noted that the AP government had imposed complete ban on transportation of sand. Hundreds of houses which were under construction are facing shortage of sand.

On the instruction of the government, the police personnel have conducted raids on sand reaches and seized more than 100 tractors in their respective police station limits in Tirupati Urban and Chittoor districts.

On the orders of Chittoor SP Ch Venkata Appala Naidu and Tirupati Urban SP KKN Anburajan, check posts were set up in routes where there is a possibility of illegal transportation of sand. Police officials were given instructions to conduct special drives for curbing sand transport during the ban period of 15 days.

G Kesava Reddy, a resident of Vidyanagar said he had to stop construction of his house midway with the shortage of sand. Officials of the Revenue department said that those who are in need of sand can approach Tahsildars to get permission for transportation of sand.

Assistant Director (Mines) N Venkata Krishna speaking to The Hans India clarified that Tahsildars have powers to give permission for procurement of sand if needy persons approach them with written requests. He advised people to purchase manufactured sand suitable for construction instead of river and streambed sand.