WITH PHOTO
MANGALORE : It has been learnt that mechanized sand mining was being unabatedly
carried out in the Phalguni river bed at Permanki in Ulaibettu village. This unauthorized
activity has come under severe criticism from authorized sand mining contractors who
are even thinking to complain to the district administration.
Though law permits dredging using machinery, it does not permit sand mining through
JCB or any other modern equipment. The district administration had duly taken action
when mechanized sand mining near Kulur came to light recently.
But now similar action is awaited with regard to the mechanized sand mining from
Phalguni River near Ulaibettu.
It is learnt, already hundreds of lorry loads of sand have been transported from here via
a road that passes through the palm plantation of late legislator Shivarao at Maanja. It
has also been reported that Rao’s son Raviraj Rao has permitted stocking of the sand
worth several lakhs of rupees in a government land close by the shores.
Reports say this activity has been abetted by a sand contractor who has also supplied
stones in his lorry to construct a ramp to facilitate storage of sand. It is said that there
was a ploy to smuggle the sand from here overnight.
The sand contractors say as of now mechanized sand mining is not undertaken anywhere
in Groper and Phalguni rivers. Already, the Dakshina Kannada Sand Boat Workers
Association has secured a court stay against mechanized sand mining. Vishwanath
Shetty, President of the Association has warned the District Administration against
permitting mechanized sand mining despite the court stay.
Surprisingly, the Ulaibettu Gram Panchayat President Sallaje Rajeev Shetty says he was
unaware of the mechanized sand mining from the river which was located close by the
panchayat office.
“ In case there was mechanized sand mining, then it is wrong and the panchayat would
lodge a complaint with the department concerned,†he adds.
The sand mining machinery is capable of mining upto 50 feet deep and 100 meter wide.
The equipment has a capacity to mine nearly 100 to 150 loads of sand per day.
Related news: