Suvarna Brahmavar / Harshini Brahmavar
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Sep 15: Every river and rivulet in the district including River Sita, River Swarna and Madisal rivulet are getting battered by sand mining activity day in and day out. Hundreds of trucks move in and out of sand blocks created at places like Handadi, Uppinakote and Kumragodu near Brahmavar as well as at Kakkuje, Baikady, Airody etc. Although crores of rupees change hands and sand miners are amassing a fortune by grossly violating rules and regulations, surprisingly, only two cases were filed against the illegal sand miners during the entire year 2014-15, which is baffling to say the least.

Sand mining, which went on even when ban was in force, has been now on full swing after it was lifted from August 1 onward. The activity is going ahead in full steam ever since, resulting in problems and harassment for the people, besides depriving sand at reasonable rates for people engaged in construction activity inside the district. People residing in areas where sand mining activity is going on, and also those located near the route through which trucks and tippers and trucks move, complain of blatant violation of norms and rules, damage to roads, and threat to their lives created by recklessly driven vehicles.

Almost the entire stock of sand mined is transported to other districts like Shivamogga, Bengaluru and Mysuru, where sand commands much higher price. As per an estimate, the sand which is sold here for Rs 14,000 per truckload, commands anywhere between Rs 38,000 and 40,000 in other districts like Shivamogga and Mysuru. Locals find it very hard to get sand for construction and other activities as a result. They say that royalty paid by sand miners is a pittance as compared to the price they get for the sand, as they account for less then ten percent of sand mined and most of the trucks move about without trip sheets. The silence of the departments concerned and also the policemen about movement of such a large number of vehicles in violation of norms and without trip sheets is baffling, people have been pointing out. It is said that sand trucks violating norms are allowed to pass through without any problems once they pay a bribe of Rs 2,000 per truck at Mukka check post. It may be recalled that media had drawn attention of the concerned about illegal sand mining at various places during this year, but police cases were registered only in two instances, one in Padubidri, the other in Kota!

A task force on sand mining functions in the district, of which the district deputy commissioner is the president of the task force with members from departments like Kodanda of mines and geology.

Although conditions are rigid for sand mining in places where Coastal Regulatory Zone rules exist, like mining of sand only in identified belts, sticking to rules set by Karnataka State Environment Impact Assessment Authority, usage of small boats and manual labour for mining, eco-sensitive areas, prohibition of mining near bridges etc exist, they are being given a go by. For example, sand cannot be mined for a distance of 250 metres on the direction of water flow and 500 metres in the reverse direction, but sand mining is going on at Mabukala and Barkur bridges right under the bridges. Miners use huge boats and stands to undertake mining in deep pockets.

Because of unregulated mining, people living in isles and other areas near these sites face problems like crashing of mini dams and bunds, devastation of connecting roads, threat to lives by movement of huge vehicles which intimidate locals, etc.

Builders from the district are up in arms against the system as they do not get sand at reasonable price, although there is stipulation that certain portion of sand mined should be provided for local use. They say that use of huge trucks is not permissible for transportation as per rules. People's representatives, who are expected to raise their voices on behalf of the people, seem to be not caring for the welfare of the citizens, while policemen have become mute spectators, they rue.

Although sand transportation worth lacs of rupees takes place every day within a number of gram panchayats, these locals bodies get a pittance in comparison. MLC, Prakashchandra Shetty, has said that he would raise his voice at the government level against this injustice, as locals are finding it difficult to get sand, which is mined in their own neighbourhood.

Speaking to daijiworld, Varamballi gram panchayat member Rajesh Shetty Birthi said, "The district administration has not taken any action against the sand mining which is rampant in the vicinity of Brahmavar, despite several complaints from the people. It is being done without the permission of the gram panchayat.

"Labourers from Assam and UP are made to extract sand from the river bed. More than 300 lorries each of 15 ton capacity are used to transport sand. Hence, 18 gram panchayat representatives will hold a day-long strike at Galadakatte in Varamballi demanding action. We have also written to former MLAs and MPs to take part in this strike," he added.

As per the mining and geology department, there are 11 official sand blocks and 17 official sand bars in the Udupi district. The public works department has fixed Rs. 60 per tonne as tax and the market value of sand per unit is Rs 2,500 to 3, 000.

Although conditions are rigid for sand mining in places where Coastal Regulatory Zone rules exist, like mining of sand only in identified belts, sticking to rules set by Karnataka State Environment Impact Assessment Authority, usage of small boats and manual labour for mining, eco-sensitive areas, prohibition of mining near bridges etc exist, they are being given a go by. Miners use huge boats and stands to undertake mining in deep pockets. Sand mining can be seen to take place very near the bridges like Mabukala.

Because of unregulated mining, people living in isles and other areas near these sites face problems like washing away of mini dams and bunds, devastation of connecting roads, threat to lives by movement of huge vehicles which intimidate locals, etc.

Builders from the district are up in arms against the system as they do not get sand at reasonable price, although there is stipulation that certain portion of sand mined should be provided for local use. They say that use of huge trucks is not permissible. People's representatives, who are expected to raise their voices on behalf of the people, seem to be not caring for the welfare of the citizens.

Although sand transportation worth lacs of rupees takes place every day within a number of gram panchayats, these locals bodies get a pittance in comparison. MLC, Prakashchandra Shetty, has said that he would raise his voice at the government level against this injustice, as locals are finding it difficult to get sand, which is mined in their own neighbourhood.

A source said that everyday nearly a 20-30 tonne of sand is being transported from the sand blocks in the district, whereas only 11 tonnes of sand is permitted to be mined. The district administration had decided to provide sand in 60:40 ratio, major share having been earmarked for local needs. However, as per an order issued on August 13 this year, this ratio was changed into 50:50.

According to the source, “Kukkude (Harady panchayat), Barkur (Handady), Mabukala are three major sand bars. The cost of sand here is Rs 14,000 per truckload, whereas the same commands a price of nearly Rs 40,000 in Shivmogga and Mysuru districts. Last year the price was Rs 4,000 for every three units and now the price has increased”. Because of temptation of higher wages offered by people from other districts, who get sand mined through local contractors, workers get attracted towards illegal sand mafia.

It is learnt that trucks are permitted to carry 11 to 11.5 tonnes per load but most of the trucks plying to other districts are almost always overloaded. There are agents running the show. Hundreds of trucks from outside the district are brought into the district by their owners and listed under the local contractors to hoodwink the system of sand mining and transportation, it is said.

When contacted, district deputy commissioner, R Vishal, remained non-committal, and desisted from passing any comment about prevalence of illegal sand mining in the district.