Sand scene turns more chaotic in Rajamahendravaram

Rajamahendravaram: Sand is not within the reach of common people even after the new sand policy coming into force more than one month ago. The process of applying for sand online has become a farce as God only knows when the online system functions while keeping people in wait for hours. In many instances, words No Stock flash as soon as the portal opens.

Despite claims by the governments and repeated proclamations by the Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy and other ministers, no closed circuit cameras, weigh bridges, GPS tagged vehicles etc., have been arranged at the sand stoic points as per the new sand policy.

The officials concerned are allowing the passage of sand-laden lorries though they have no GPS tagging facility by collecting thousands of rupees and no weigh bridges have been set up. Permission was accorded to 21 sand ramps in the district, out of which three belong to Boat Men Association and the remaining open sand ramps.

Meanwhile, middlemen are collecting money from the persons who got sand at Gayatri and Kotilingala Ghats in the city leading to an uproar while officials keeping silent.

An official said it will take some time to provide necessary facilities at the sand ramps and steps were being taken to combat problems at the sand ramps.