Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Oct 8: The sand being extracted and supplied from non-coastal regulatory zone (CRZ) areas in Dakshina Kannada district is becoming dearer. At this point, the district administration, acting swiftly, has accelerated the process of removing sand accumulated in three dams. Because of this action, sand prices are expected to go down.

Karnataka State Minerals Corporation Ltd has been instructed to extract sand collected in these three dams. The officials of the corporation have already undertaken preliminary surveys. Deputy commissioner of the district Dr K V Rajendra, expects sand to be made available at a lesser price if sand from Thumbe vented dam, Malavoor dam and Shambhoor dam are cleared.

Currently, sand from 15 blocks of non-CRZ areas was being supplied. There are fewer blocks near the city and therefore, it is said that including transportation cost, a load of sand costs between Rs 20,000 to 25,000 here.

CRZ sand extraction: There is an expectation that permission will soon be given to clear 13 sand blocks in Coastal Regulatory Zone. This too plays a significant role in the reduction of sand price. There has been a high demand for CRZ sand in the city and surrounding places, and this time, the initial process of sand clearance has been delayed because of the officials' preoccupation with corona. Wednesday, October 7 was the last day for filing application. It is learnt that over 500 applications have been received. The applications will be scrutinised for five days from today, after which a committee headed by the deputy commissioner will give approval to the eligible candidates.

The seven-member district-level committee has to consider people who have registered their names in the deputy commissioner's office, and traditional sand extractors have to be given priority. The permission has to be distributed by considering the sand blocks, and the sand quantity available there. Wherever the sand blocks are less, the licences should be given by lottery system, as per rules.'

Eight blocks in Netravati river, four in Falguni and one block in SShambhavi river have been identified so far.

Udupi: In Udupi, six lac metric tonnes of sand has been identified in CRZ areas in Rivers Swarna, Sita and Papanishini. After obtaining permission from the minerals corporation, 70 traditional extractors have been given permission to clear 11 blocks. So far, 40,000 metric tonnes of sand has been removed.

Over 22 blocks have been identified in non-CRZ areas where the responsibility of clearing sand has been vested with Karnataka Minerals Corporation. This time, permission to remove sand has also been given in Kundapur and Byndoor environmentally sensitive areas. So a Bathymetric survey is being conducted to assess the quantum of sand. Deputy commissioner, G Jagadeesha, said that this report would be submitted to the government soon.

Dakshina Kannada district deputy commissioner, Dr Rajendra K V, said that it has come to his notice that sand prices have gone up. Therefore, he said, the action is being taken to extract sand collected in three dams. He said that in addition, permission will also be given to removing sand from CRZ locations.