Deputy Commissioner of Haveri Krishna Bajpai has directed the officials concerned to take quick steps, within a week, to check and curb illegal sand extraction in Haveri district.
Chairing a review meeting of the District Level Task Force on Wednesday, Mr. Bajpai directed the officials to activate check-posts set up in the district to check illegal sand extraction.
He asked the officials to ensure that the staff worked actively and CCTV cameras were installed at all the check-posts.
The Deputy Commissioner said that there were complaints about rampant illegal sand extraction in villages on the banks of the rivers in Haveri and Ranebennur taluks. He asked the officials to take immediate steps to redress the complaints.
Mr. Krishna Bajpai said that during his visits to Kanchargatti and Haralahalli he had seen vehicles and boats deployed in excess numbers for sand transportation and asked the officials to check whether they had taken requisite permits.
“Also, check for which purpose permits have been taken. And, if they have taken permits for farm activities and using them for illegal sand extraction or transportation, then take strict action against them,” he said.
Referring to small roads being laid specifically for illegal transportation of sand, he directed the officials to immediately close such routes and dig trenches on such roads used for illegal extraction and transportation.
District Mines and Geology Officer Pushpalata Kavali told the meeting that there were four check-posts checking sand transportation in the district and only the one at Guttal was functioning now. Additional Deputy Commissioner N. Thippeswamy said that there were several earthmovers, tractors and coracles parked in front of various houses in the villages on the banks of the river in the Guttal region.
“When asked, village residents say that they don’t belong to them. There are several trucks in Guttal without any registration from the region,” he said and directied the officials of the Regional Transport Office to check those vehicles and seize vehicles without registration.
Superintendent of Police K.G. Devaraju said that all necessary cooperation would be extended to put an end to illegal sand extraction. Additional Superintendent of Police Mallikarjun Baladandi, Assistant Commissioner of Savanur Annapurna Mudakammanavar and other officials were present.
