133 applications for manual sand extraction cleared says panel

Mangalore Today News Network

Udupi, Aug 17,2017: The Udupi district-level Committee set up to look into sand extraction in CRZ area has cleared 133 applications for manual sand extraction.  District in-charge minister Pramod Madhwaraj told media persons that it has been decided to give priority to local people while finalising applications. The sand so mined should be used only within the district and it cannot be transported to neighbouring districts or states. The number of applications is likely to go up.

The minister said that in addition to police, the officials of revenue, excise and forest department have been granted permission to check illegal transportation of sand from the district. A decision on extracting sand in non-CRZ areas would be decided as the earliest. The Cabinet committee had its meeting in this regard on Wednesday.

However, the confusion over leasing out or auctioning the sand blocks is yet to be addressed. Out of the 133 applications cleared, 28 are from Udupi, 18 in Kundapur, 84 in Brahmavar and five in Byndoor. Another 10 and 11 applications each in Brahmavar and Kundapur respectively are in the waiting list.

The minister said only 407 and tipper lorries are permitted to transport sand. These vehicles are allowed to transport maximum of eight tonnes of sand. A tonne of sand is likely to be priced at Rs 800.

Deputy Commissioner Priyanka Mary Francis had instructed all the rules and regulations put in place by the Ministry of Environment and Forest will be followed before relaunching sand extraction in CRZ areas in the district. The district committee head by the deputy commissioner has taken all precautionary measures and is awaiting for the approval from the Karnataka Coastal Zone Management Committee (KCZMC) for the sand extraction in CRZ area.