Sand mining: Udupi to present its case afresh before NGT

Deputy Commissioner Priyanka Mary Francis said the district administration would take up the process all new to represent the case in Green Tribunal on sand mining at CRZ area following the verdict in favour of plaintiffs.

Speaking to media persons here on Friday, the DC said that the district in-charge minister has convened a meeting to discuss the  issue on March 18. The process of forming a committee at local level to analyse the situation  and the assessment of the expert committee from NITK would be taken up once again.

The reformation of the process would take another one month. However, it seems that the district would not suffer from scarcity of sand, as the two blocks in Non-CRZ zone are functioning. Besides, Dakshina Kannada deputy commissioner has also that sand would be supplied, in case of necessity, she added.

The DC said that the case would be represented with all the documents and preparations. The lapses on the part of district administration in representing the case would be overcome. A fresh proposal would be sent, she said.

She added that out of two sand blocks given to National Highway, one block is taken back.

`However, a concrete decision would be taken after the meeting on March 18 wherein every lapse mentioned in the verdict would be discussed and plans would be formulated accordingly, she explained.

On water scarcity, the DC said that tanker water is yet to be supplied. Rs 80 lakh has been allotted to RDPR department and another 50 lakh  as discretionary funds for the zilla panchayat president to tackle water scarcity.

The funds would also be supplied if there is a need owing to shortage. There are some areas like Yedthadi, Byndoor,Katpadi, which are experiencing severe water shortage owing to the salinity in the available water sources. Every Saturday, a meeting is held by executive officers, tahsildars and MESCOM AEE to look into the problem, said.

She said the desilting proposal of Baje dam has been dropped as the work would require Rs 2.5 crore and after desilting, the reservoir would be able to store water only for five days. Hence, the proposal was not found to be viable, she said.