Dinesh Gundu Rao
Credit: DH Photo
Mangaluru: District in-charge Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said on Monday, “We will find a legal route to resolve the issue of sand and laterite stone shortage in the district.”
Speaking at the tri-monthly KDP meeting held at the Zilla Panchayat hall on Monday, he directed the Deputy Commissioner to immediately convene a meeting to discuss the crisis.
A higher-level meeting with the Commissioner of the Mines and Geology Department will be held next week to frame or amend rules, if necessary, to legalise sand and laterite stone extraction. The meeting will also address the allegations of exorbitant royalty rates imposed by the state, he said.
He clarified that no temporary measures will be taken, as the Lokayukta has already filed a suo motu case against 18 officers in connection with laterite quarry units in the district. “We will find a solution within the framework of the law,” he said.
Raising the issue, Moodbidri MLA Umanath Kotian emphasized that laterite stones and sand are essential for construction in the district. “All buildings here are constructed using laterite stones, unlike other parts of the state where bricks are used. Due to strict enforcement by the Commissioner of Police and Superintendent of Police, all illegal sand and laterite stone quarry units have been checked. There is a need to legalise these activities,” he said.
He added that Karnataka levies a royalty of Rs 282 per tonne, whereas neighboring Kerala charges only Rs 32 per tonne.
MLC Ivan D’Souza pointed out that M-sand is not preferred in the district. Authorities must ensure the availability of natural sand and laterite stones for construction purposes. He noted that laterite stone extraction for agricultural purposes is permitted and should not be considered mining. There is a need to publicise Sand Bazar app for booking sand.
Belthangady MLA Harish Poonja said potholes on kuccha roads in villages are usually filled during the monsoon using charal (a natural mixture of sand and pebbles found near rivers and rivulets). However, due to strict enforcement, charal extraction is now prohibited, rendering many village roads unmotorable.
Mines and Geology Deputy Director Sandeep informed that the district has 19 licensed quarry units with a combined availability of 20,000 metric tonnes of laterite stones. These units operate on a lease system, with licenses renewed every six months. Quarry owners have requested a reduction in royalty rates.
He further said that there are 25 sand blocks in non-CRZ areas, of which 15 are currently operational. However, sand extraction from rivers is banned during the monsoon to protect the river ecosystem. The total sand availability in all blocks is 5.55 lakh tonnes, with the 15 active blocks accounting for 3.44 lakh tonnes.
Last year, 1.16 lakh metric tonnes of M-sand were sold in the district, while 27,000 metric tonnes have been sold in the first two months of this year.
In comparison, 74,650 metric tonnes of river sand were sold last year, and only 11,000 metric tonnes so far this year. A truck carrying three units of sand is currently priced between Rs 10,000 and Rs 12,000, he added.
Commissioner of Police Sudheer Kumar Reddy said cases have been registered against illegal laterite quarries and sand extraction operations. If they continue to engage in illegal extracion, then they will be behind bars. Those with valid permits are being allowed to operate without interference.
SP Dr Arun K said that the ZP CEO will collect data on the charal requirement, and a decision on the matter will be taken at the high-level meeting in Bengaluru.
Deputy Commissioner Darshan H V said, “The district administration and police are clear in their stance against illegal sand and laterite stone extraction. I will ensure legal operations are facilitated in the district. Once the tender process of the 18 sand blocks are completed, the row over sand is likely to be solved."