JOIN USConsidering scarcity of sand, the Dakshina Kannada district administration has decided to issue 10 permits (for 10 loads instead of 100) for each acre for sand mining per month in Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ).
There will be no provision to transport sand to other districts or states. This minimum sand minimum sand mining policy would be valid up to August 31.
Briefing reporters, on Thursday, Deputy Commissioner A B Ibrahim said after banning sand mining in CRZ, construction has come to standstill for the past one-and-half-months.
It has affected labourers, contractors, builders, lorry owners and general public. It is estimated that around 200 loads of sand is needed for government buildings and around 1,000 loads of sand is needed for private constructions in the district.
Special squad
“The administration will implement the policy with the help of police department and other departments. Moreover, to control sand smuggling, a meeting with Police Commissioner would be convened within two-three days. There is proposal of forming a special squad to control illegal sand transportation,” he said.
At the taskforce committee meeting which was held on Wednesday, the DC ordered that dozers cannot be used and only traditional sand mining is allowed. Only on working days, mining can be carried between 9 am and 5 pm. Sand mining is barred 500 metre anywhere near islands. The ban on fishing and sand mining, which was imposed on June 15, will be lifted on July 31.
Shiradi to open on Aug 1
Deputy Commissioner said Shiradi Ghat will be open for light vehicles from August 1. For 13-km stretch between Heggadde and Kempuhole, work of concretisation is over and shouldering is being done. Work would finish by the weekend and PWD Minister Dr H C Mahadevappa and Youth Service, Sports and Fisheries Minister K Abhaychandra Jain would inspect the development works.
Tender has been finalised for the remaining stretch of Shiradi Ghat. It has been sent to the Centre for approval. If approved, work would be begin this year itself without disturbing vehicular movement, he said. “Only light vehicles will be allowed during first 10 days from August 1 and further decision would be taken after a review,” he added.