Sand mining continues unabated

In spite of the government’s effort to halt illegal sand-mining, unabated mining continues along the banks of parched water bodies in the taluk. 

Earlier, on April 1, the State government had introduced a new sand policy, which it was hoped, would quell the reckless looting of sand. Under the new policy, private individuals and firms are barred from mining for sand. Tasked with enforcing the ruling is the Public Works Department, which also has the job of identifying locations for sand mining, open stocking centres and provide sand for construction through auctioning. The new policy requires the process of sand-mining and transportation to be approved by nine departments.

However, the new system of checks and balances has had little effect in the drought-hit taluk. Residents claim that sand is being mined under the nose of monitoring authorities. Citizens also claimed that several officials and police were hand in glove with the sand mafia.

Private individuals were also allegedly involved in mining and transporting sand on the banks and around water bodies near the Kottapalli barrage, Chitravati bridge, Jilajirla and Devareddipalli villages, to name a few. According to sources, sand is being transported by bullock carts and police have turned a blind eye to the violation. “The drought has deprived many avenues of earning a livelihood and the sand business has become a lucrative venture,” they added.

Earlier in the year, a local couple from Kottapalli, Venkataramappa and his wife Rathnamma, died after being buried under sand at their illegal mining site.