Harish proposes 50-crore plan to save Gandipet Lake

Hyderabad: The Telangana government decided to crack a whip on those involved in illegal sale of sand in all ten districts. The sand being brought illegally from neighbouring States was denting the State exchequer to a major extent.

At a meeting with officials of Revenue, Mining, Commercial Taxes, Forest, Survey of India and Marketing departments held on here Tuesday, Mines and Geology Minister T Harish Rao directed authorities to take effective steps to curb that practice.

He told the officials to strengthen check posts to seize trucks carrying illegal sand in the State borders itself. Harish stressed on forging co-ordination between Mining, Revenue, Commercial Tax, Forest and Marketing departments for this purpose.

Harish Rao asked them to take steps to resolve cases of Barytis lease in Khammam, prepare an action plan to control sand from other States, set up integrated check posts and identify mining zones. Further, the Minister directed the officials to send proposals of Rs 50 crore to the government for Gandipet restoration under Mission Kakatiya programme.

He said tenders should be called for the restoration, begin first phase of works by allotting Rs 12.5 crore and take up a movement to save Gandipet lake in Hyderabad. “We need to strengthen the check posts with tough measures and stop illegal mining and encourage the use of stone sand in place of river sand,” he said. Harish stressed on the need to stop illegal mining as a result of which the government is incurring loss.

He wanted the officials to prevent illegal sand mining in 14 mandals of Ranga Reddy district. Harish Rao asked the officials to see that mining should be done by those who were allotted them. “To develop Gandipet, we need to attract donors and conduct benefit shows like star cricket, marathon etc,” he said. Meanwhile, the Minister instructed the authorities to take steps to clear legal issues that were pending for several years.