Mangaluru : Having realised the impact of unabated sand extraction from river beds in and around Mangaluru, particularly near bridges, Deputy Commissioner A.B. Ibrahim has reiterated the existing rules of ban on extracting up to a distance of 500 metre distance on either side of a bridge and directed the officials to strictly enforce the ban.

Nethravati bridge in these columns on October 2, wherein hundreds of boats were engaged in sand extraction from the river abutting the road as well as railway bridges.

In a magisterial order issued on Thursday, Deputy Commissioner A.B. Ibrahim said sand extraction near bridges would result in the weakening of the structures and hence it should be completely stopped.

He has identified five major bridges in the district where uncontrolled extraction is in vogue. They are, Nethravati bridges off Thokkottu-Ullal, which connects southern Karnataka with Kerala through NH 66 as well as Mangaluru-Kasaragod railway line. Sand extraction is strictly prohibited up to a distance of 500 metres of all these bridges, he said.

The other important bridge on NH 66 is the Kulur bridge on the Phalguni (Gurupura) in the vicinity of which sand extraction is going on. The bridge connects Mangaluru with Udupi and places far beyond. One more bridge on the Phalguni has been the Malavur bridge which connects Mangaluru with the international airport as well as pilgrimage centre Kateel. Similarly, another bridge on Mangaluru-Sholapur National Highway near Gurupura on Phalguni too was under threat, Mr. Ibrahim said. Also, the Moolarapatna-Muttur Bridge, again on the Phalguni on Moodbidri-Bantwal highway too was facing threat from sand extraction, the official said.

As such, the officials should strictly enforce the ban and prevent any unauthorised sand extraction in these localities, Mr. Ibrahim stated in the order.