Sand quarrying, smuggling in AP continue unabated

Kadapa : Though Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy is keen on preventing illegal quarrying and transportation of sand the problem continues unabated due to various reasons. On January 31 this year, 56o tonnes of sand was seized by the officials.

Vigilance& Enforcement officials conducted raids on sand dump at Amrithanagar area in Proddaturu. These incidents indicate the intensity of the situation.

As per the norms sand has to be quarried only in 10 reaches, however nearly 25 reaches exist in the district. As per rules, the vehicles which are used for transportation of sand should possess GPS tag to know about their movements.

According to sources, state government expects an income of Rs 5.11 crore through sand quarrying in the district and government has specified certain rules for sand quarrying and transportation.

But these norms are not being followed due to involvement of political leaders.

But officials are not in a position to take stringent action against illegal sand smugglers due to pressure from influential leaders. There are number illegal dumps like the one at Amrithanagar in Proddaturu.

Twice a week sand is being illegally transported to Bengaluru and Chennai,'' said BJP Proddaturu convener G Srinivasulu to Hans India.

"We are spending sleepless nights due to illegal quarrying of sand day and night from Penna river. If we try to prevent the smugglers, we face the threat of attack from them, said A Prathap Reddy of Mudhunuru.