Chikkamagaluru dist administration decides to distribute sand

In a major step to solve row over shortage of sand, the district administration has decided to distribute sand stocked at stockyards in the district from next week, Deputy Commissioner G Satyavathi said.

Speaking to reporters here on Friday, she said SMSes have been sent to 156 applicants who had sought sand. The sand distribution process will commence from Monday, she added.

“The new sand policy came into effect on August 12, 2016. Detailed guidelines have been prepared after holding discussions with Public Works Department (PWD). A lot of efforts have been made by the district administration to bring in transparency in distribution of sand. The new system will be implemented on a pilot basis for three months. Tenders have been invited for the extraction of sand in four new blocks,” she said.

The deputy commissioner said she had visited five sand stockyards in the district. If the sand is not distributed, then there is every possibility of illegal transportation of sand. A sub-committee will be set up with PWD, Revenue, RTO and Police Department to come out with a comprehensive plan for the distribution of sand. A task force has been constituted. The department staff will work in stockyards in shifts during the distribution of sand. The contractors have been directed not to collect additional amount for loading and unloading of sand. Those in need of sand should mandatorily visit the stockyard, she said.

The DC said sand could be transported from anywhere in the district in the past. Now, sand stockyards have been identified for each taluk. Accordingly, stockyard at Kanachooru and Donigudi have been earmarked for Chikkamagaluru taluk; stockyard at G Agrahara for Mudigere taluk; stokyard at Hiresigara for Kadur and Tarikere; Bhuvanakote stockyard for Koppa and N R Pura taluks and Addagadde for Sringeri taluk. The public, government departments and contractors should collect sand from the stockyards of respective taluks only, she said.

The citizens of Chikkamagaluru taluk who need sand should submit an applications to the AC’s office. In other taluks, the citizens should submit an application to the respective taluk offices.

She said that priority would be given for the distribution of sand for the public. As the state government has issued a notification on the use of M-sand, the contractors have been directed to use M-sand.

Sand rate

The district administration has fixed Rs 750 for 1 cubic metre sand. As there were complaints on charging Rs 38,000 to Rs 40,000 per tipper or lorry of sand, the district administration convened a meeting with lorry drivers and fixed the rent for the transportation of sand. Accordingly, rent for one tipper (8 cubic metre) sand from Kanachooru or Donigudi stockyard to anywhere in Chikkamagaluru taluk would cost Rs 6,500. The transportation cost of one tractor of sand from G Agrahara to 20-km stretch would cost Rs 1,500.

The deputy commissioner said that only 43 lorries have been fitted with GPS in the district. A lorry will be given only a day’s permit for the transportation of sand, she clarified.