'GPS in all sand trucks mandatory from Sept'

Inaugurating the GPS installation programme and workshop on sand transport on Tuesday at Town Hall in Mangalore, the DC said that the installation of GPS in vehicles are not happening the way it was planned because the lorry owners say that they can not spare the vehicle due to their regular trips.

The DC said that two days of holiday should be declared within this month and installation works should be completed within this month so that all sand carriers have GPS by first week of September.

The DC said that licence holders henceforth must look for three points while supplying sand. “Licence holders must look for GPS, colour scheme of the vehicle and the logo of the Joint Action Committee while supplying sand. If they supply sand to vehicles without these three points then their licence will be cancelled immediately,” he said and added that the only purpose behind installing GPS is to check illegal movement of sand to Kerala.

Exit points
“There are as many as 30 exit points to Kerala and having check posts and deploying persons to check movement of sand is not feasible as the administration may need 200 personnel to be deputed at the check posts. Reducing dependence on man power and switching over to technology are inevitable,” he said. He informed in future GPS will be adopted even to monitor road development work, in buses and lorries soon. Earlier inaugurating the programme, former minister B Ramanath Rai said that sand mining should remain as a business and it should not become a mafia. “Those engaged in sand mining should respect the rules and laws and should strengthen their organisation for the benefit of all,” said Rai.

District-in-Charge Minister Krishna J Palemar presided over the programme. He said that for many it may not make sense as to why sand mining and usage of machineries while mining is banned. “The truth is that mining affects the nature. Countries across the world and states like Kerala have realised the dangers of sand mining,” Palemar said adding that penalty of Rs 1 lakh must be imposed on those engaged in illegal sand mining.
The logo of the Joint Action Committee was launched during the programme.
Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh, MLAs U T Khader, Abhaychandra Jain, Mayor Rajani Dugganna among others were present.
DH News Service