SRIKAKULAM: Despite the collector ordering strict watch on illegal sand mining and transportation and also directed imposition of hefty fines in the district sand committee meeting held almost two weeks ago, the illegal mining and transportation of sand is going unabated in the district.
The illegal mining continues in several areas of Vamsadhara, Nagavali, Bahuda and Mahendratanaya rivers. Though hundreds of truckloads of sand across the district border and even State border daily, officials are yet to act.
The illegal mining is rampant at Ponnada and Kallepalli villages near Srikakulam from Nagavali, Madapam near Narasannapeta from Vamsadhara, Birlangi, Masakhapuram, Toturu, T Berhampuram villages of Ichchapuram mandal from Bahuda and Damodarapuram, Batupuram and Baruva of Sompeta mandal in the district.
While hundreds of truckloads of sand are being transported to Visakhapatnam daily from Madapam, Ponnada, Gara and a few other areas near Srikakulam from Nagavali and Vamsadhara rivers, sand is also being transported to Odisha from several areas of Ichchapuram and Sompeta mandals from Bahuda and Mahendratanaya.
Authorised sand reaches
Gopalapenta and Potayyavalasa of Narasannapeta mandal, Purushothapuram and Pedda Savalapuram of Sarubujjili mandal and Medamirthi of Santakaviti mandal are the only authorised sand reaches in the district. Sand reaches of Purushothapuram of Sarubujji mandal and Potayyavalasa of Narasannapeta mandal have been granted for Visakhapatnam needs.
As usual, illegal transport of sand continues from Madapam, adjacent to the national highway between Srikakulam and Narasannpeta. Loads of sand is being dumped in the gardens near Vamsadhara at Madapam for transportation to Visakhapatnam.
Seize vehicles involved in sand mining: Collector
When contacted, Srikakulam mines assistant director Shivaji said that the teams were on the job to intercept such vehicles He also said that despite the local sub-inspector intercepting five tractors at Santakaviti village a few days ago, politicos had intervened and said the sand was being shifted for constructing sanitary toilets.
Speaking to Express, district collector K Dhananjaya Reddy said that strict instructions were given to the officials to conduct raids and seize the vehicles involved in illegal transportation and mining of sand. As two reaches were allocated to Visakhapatnam, a close watch would be kept in association with Visakhpatnam officials to ensure that sand is not misused.
He also said that they would conduct raids, particularly on unauthorised sand reaches in the district. Task force teams have been deployed for the purpose, said the collector.