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Sand smuggling continues unabated in Nirmal
National Highway No 322 between Dharmabad and Nirmal is the busiest way between Maharashtra and Telangana. The busy is not pertaining to regular traffic but to the sand-laden trucks.
Police and other officials feign ignorance about illegal sand transportation in the district
Adilabad: National Highway No 322 between Dharmabad and Nirmal is the busiest way between Maharashtra and Telangana. The busy is not pertaining to regular traffic but to the sand-laden trucks.
There are at least five police stations and three check posts in between Dharmabad and Nirmal. But there is hardly anyone who could stop the sand trucks which ply even without waybills.
It could be described as sand mafia as a turnout Rs. 3.5 crore per month is involved. The sand gang is virtually minting money. It is estimated that at least 150 trucks run on this road carrying sand from Dharmabad.
The Nirmal sand mafia, which had already mined sand from the rivulets and streams in the district, is now smuggling sand from Maharashtra.
When asked about the waybill for transporting, one of the drivers showed a waybill issued by the Maharashtra government which is not valid in Telangana.
Some other drivers said that they were not stopped on the National Highway. “In case the truck is stopped, the owners would settle the issue with the officials,” he added. As per rules, Rs 400 should be paid per tonne for transporting the sand.
Each truck carries 40 tonnes of sand per trip which is almost double, if not triple, the permitted load and each truck makes two trips a day. In essence, they are evading payment of Rs 12 lakh per day and Rs 3.5 crore per month to the government.
In spite of the presence of the police stations and check posts on the National Highway, not a single truck is stopped.
People allege that the officials are turning Nelson’s eye by taking bribes from the mafia.In addition to the tax evasion, the overloaded trucks are causing damage to the roads, Barik Rao, a villager said.
“It is high time action is initiated against the sand mafia.” When contacted the District Mining Officer, Krishnamachary told The Hans India that he was not aware of illegal transportation of sand.
If there are complaints, we would certainly take action, he added. He said that it was illegal to transport sand without Telangana waybills.
