Illegal sand mining thrives in Hassan

Permit can be cancelled and legal action taken if contract is violated: Geologist

Deputy commissioner K P Mohan Raj recently announced that raids will be conducted to curb illegal sand mining in the district. But, illegal sand mining in going on unabated at Alebelur in the taluk.

The stretch of river Hemavathi, along Alebelur and Vadur villages, is overexploited in gross violation of sand mining policy. Sand mining is allowed along the banks of a river, but not on river bed.

With more than 200 lorries involved in transporting sand from Alebelur, the flow of the river has been affected and deep trenches — about 20 to 30 feet deep — have been created by four excavators. Temporary roads have also been laid on the river bed to facilitate transportation of sand.

Repeated complaints by residents of the village in this regard have fallen on deaf ears.
Assistant commissioner Srividya said complaints have been received from residents of Alebelur and Vadur about illegal mining on the river bed. “The tahsildar has been directed to conduct a spot inspection and submit a report,” she said.

Public works department junior engineer Putta Hanumantharaju said, permit has been issued to one Ramesh for extracting sand from two blocks each in Alebelur, Vadur and Kanaganamane villages and one block at Maagalu. The permit clearly states that he is allowed to mine sand only on the banks of the river. Extracting sand from the river bed is illegal. Senior scientist with geology department, Hanumantha Reddy said, mining sand from river bed is illegal. “If a contractor is found doing so, his permit can be cancelled and legal action be initiated against him,” he said.

However, residents of the villages have urged the deputy commissioner to visit the spot to see for himself how the illegal activity was going on unabated.