LPG cylinders at sand miners' doorsteps

Hundreds of traditional boats, which carry out sand mining on Netravati river bed at Adyar-Kannur on the outskirts of the city, are fitted with LPG kit and the contractors procure refilled domestic LPG cylinders to run the boat engines. Alam Khan, a labourer from Uttar Pradesh working in one of the sand mining boats at Adyar-Kannur, told Deccan Herald that the LPG cylinders were supplied to them by their contractor’s men. “It requires about 5 litres of kerosene for one trip of sand mining. However, with one LPG cylinder of 14.2 kg, we can conduct about 5-6 trips,” he asserted adding that LPG is more cheaper compared to kerosene.

Domestic LPG cylinders are being used in sand mining boats in similar way at B C Road, Someshwar, Jeppinamogaru, Adamkudru, Kuloor and other places too. DYFI leader from Adyar-Kannur Anwar said that it is a conspiracy that the sand mining contractors hire labourers from other states including Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. “Even if the police and authorities carry out raids, none of the contractors will be caught,” he added.

Further, he alleged that there is an LPG cylinder racket, which supplies domestic cylinders to sand mining contractors in the district. They store cylinders at a house in a remote place and supply it to the sand mining lobby when required, he added.

LPG of Indane

While more than 100 sand mining boats are seen carrying 14.2 kg red coloured LPG cylinders at Adyar Kannur, majority of the cylinders belong to Indane LPG company. Meanwhile, cylinders belong to other public sector companies were also seen in some of the boats. 

When contacted, District Food and Civil Supplies Department Deputy Director Vrishabharajendra Moorthi said that the refilled domestic LPG cylinders should not be distributed in the open market. “It is illegal to sell the domestic LPG in the open market and the department will take necessary action,” he assured.

Meanwhile, manager of Indane Gas Agencies, Capitanio branch, Murali said that domestic cylinders are not supplied to any commercial purposes from their outlet.
He said that the 14.2 kg LPG cylinders of red colour are meant for domestic purposes and it is being supplied only to ration card holders at a subsidised rate of Rs 321. Only blue colour cylinders of 19 kg is being supplied in the open market at Rs 932, he added.