Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (CLP)
Mangaluru, Jul 9: Braving heavy rains, hundreds of people led by Civil Contractors’ Association, Mangaluru staged a strong protest in front of DC’s office here on Thursday, July 9, against the scarcity of sand in the district.
The protest march started from Clock Tower and culminated near the DC's office.
Addressing the protesters, V Mayya, chairman of Association of Consulting Civil Engineers (India), said, “The state government was given repeated reminders but no action has been taken so far. Only when we stop the work for months, they realize our importance. The prices of cement and crushed stones have been raised but we kept quiet. Now the pride of the district (sand) is at stake. Efforts are being made now to snatch our rights on sand. The quality of sand found in the district is very high which is not found anywhere in the state.
“From the past three months, 40,000 loads of illegal sand have been transported to other states and districts. In a day only 200 loads of sand are allowed to be transported but 500 loads of sand are illegally transported. Are our people representatives sleeping? Since they are not taking any actions, we have come here to protest. We have come here to fight for our rights," he asserted.
Addressing the protesters, Purushotham Kottary, president Civil Contractors’ Association in Mangaluru said, “There is a huge shortage of sand which has affected the ongoing projects and construction of houses. From the past 20 days, there is no construction going on and labourers are jobless. We have spoken to the district incharge minister and MLAs but there is no alternative for sand supply. The district administration has 12,000 tonnes of sand kept as a reserve which has to be released immediately. One load of sand cost Rs 4000 - Rs 6000 in the district and the same is sold for Rs 40,000 - Rs 60,000 in other districts. Due to the high demand and illegal sand transportation, there is a scarcity of sand in the district."
A memorandum was also submitted by the Civil Contractors’ Association to the deputy commissioner after the protest.