Kamareddy: Show alternate route for sand lorries, demand villagers

Kamareddy: Complaining that people were falling sick due to dust pollution caused by constant movement of sand-laden lorries, residents of Bichkunda and Khatgaon villages of Bichkunda mandal on Wednesday staged a sit-in dharna on the road blocking the lorries.

Telangana State Mineral Development Corporation (TSMDC) gave permission for sand transportation from Khatgaon sand quarry on Manjira River in Bichkunda mandal. Hence, hundreds of lorries started transporting sand every day and the dust generated by these vehicles was entering into the houses on both sides of the road in the villages.

Bichkunda villagers realised that they were falling sick due to the dust and demanded to provide alternate route for these lorries. They were angry as the TSMDC officials neglected their suggestion to wet the roads with water, which could lower dust pollution, despite repeated requests.

Quarry operators were least bothered about our problems, they criticised.

Local leaders of various parties alleged that people were getting respiratory diseases due to the dust pollution caused by the sand lorries. Demanding to divert these lorries through bypass road, along with the villagers, the leaders staged dharna on the road for about eight hours, blocking the lorries.

TRS leaders Nukala Raju and Saini Baswaraj, Darpal Gangadhar, Congress leader Chandrasekhar and others participated in the dharna.