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Illegal sand mining rampant in Tungabadra River
Illegal sand mining is going on unabated at Tungabhadra River during night hours despite District Collector’s orders. The police and officials are turning a blind eye to the illegal activity. In blatant violations of norms, the traders are transporting sand to other parts of the state by bribing the officials concerned at check posts.
Kurnool: Illegal sand mining is going on unabated at Tungabhadra River during night hours despite District Collector’s orders. The police and officials are turning a blind eye to the illegal activity. In blatant violations of norms, the traders are transporting sand to other parts of the state by bribing the officials concerned at check posts.
Highlights:
A tractor load of sand is being sold at whopping cost of Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000
Traders overlook District Collector orders and other set norms and are minting big money
When questioned the officials of Kurnool mandal, simply ruled out illegal activities and assure to look into it. Further, this is supported by some corrupt officials at the check posts when they were supposed to stop illegal transportation of sand. This was evident at Panchalingala and E Thandrapadu villages in Kurnool mandal.
The government had identified two reaches in the mandal one at Pooduru and the other at R Konthapadu village and there is no permission to excavate sand more than what is permitted for construction activity. But, majority traders in Kurnool division are extracting sand using machinery and directly transporting it to other parts via Panchalingala and E Thandrapadu check posts which were set up exclusively for preventing illegal sand transportation.
Mining should not be done in the areas close to culverts, bridges, irrigation and drinking water sources, irrigation structures, state and national highways and railway lines within 500 metres but traders are violating norms. Hundreds of tractors are transporting sand illegally from Tungabhadra River.
A tractor load of sand is being sold between Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000. Traders are openly saying that there are no restrictions at any reach and can mine sand according to their needs. “No official is taking action against illegal sand mining despite knowing that it would impact on water bodies.
When we question them, they bring up names of politicians and we have to remain calm to avoid clashes,” a villager from
Panchalingala said.
