Sand trickles into B'lore, despite strike

Even as truck operators are on a statewide strike demanding a more viable sand policy, the supply of sand to Bangalore continues surreptitiously. Several sand lorries have been bringing sand to the City, often in the night.

According to lorry unions, more than 25,000 trucks transporting sand have stopped their operations for over a week.

However, sources said 300 to 400 trucks enter Bangalore every night from various entry points, all carrying sand illegally. Sand is being brought in from Mandya and other places.
G R Shanmugappa, president, Federation of Karnataka State Lorry Owners and Agents (FKSLOA), concedes: “It has come to our notice. There are about 150 to 200 loads coming in every day. A lot of it comes from Tamil Nadu, through Anekal.”

He said the covert supply of sand has had no impact on the intensity of the strike given that Bangalore needs around 3,000 truck loads of sand every day. “ Such things are unavoidable and nobody, at least not one or two unions, can keep tabs on the supply.” 

Sources said while the strike will continue, they are also in the process of convincing construction workers in the City or their unions to join the protest and help them build pressure on the government to initiate the process of formulating a new sand policy.

“The PWD minister, whose department is in-charge of giving out permits, has sought time till Friday. We are planning a massive protest in Freedom Park, where a decision on stopping transportaion of fuel will be taken,” Shanmugappa said.

Initially, the FKSLOA had said that it would stop transportation of petrol and diesel from July 20, if the government does not respond positively. Now, the lorry owners are firm that they are left with no other choice, if the minister does not guarantee them a policy. The lorries have been off the road since July 7.