12 licence holders start sand extraction

As many as 12 contractors, who have received permits for sand extraction in the district, have started the extraction of sand. Permits were issued to 33 persons.

Deputy Commissioner Priyanka Mary Francis told DH that the 12 license holders have taken up the work at various jetties earmarked to them in the five sand bars identified in CRZ areas. The remaining permit holders are yet to find suitable land to construct jetties, she added.

The DC said the reason of lack of land to construct the jetty is genuine. They will also start sand extraction work shortly. The district administration’s unflinching stand on the issue has emboldened permit holders to come forward to mine sand ignoring threats they had received, she said.