Mangaluru : Deputy Commissioner A B Ibrahim has said that the district administration will impose a ban on movement of 10-wheel sand trucks in the district.

Speaking at task force meeting with regard to sand here on Tuesday, he said the notification in this regard will be issued on Wednesday.

The district administration is planning to impose the ban following complaints from police officials of Kodagu, Chikkamagaluru and Hassan about transportation of sand in heavy trucks resulting in damage of roads to Bengaluru and Mysuru.

At present, vehicles to Bengaluru are being travelled via Charmadi and Sampaje after Mangaluru – Bengaluru Shiradi Ghat road was closed for repair from January 2. All the authorities empowered under the act including PSI, PDO and RI can seize the vehicles found violating the rules.

Stating that in the name of ready mix concrete, sand is being transported illegally from southern parts of Netravati bank to Kerala, the DC directed ZP CEO and ULBs to collect information on RMC plants operating in the district.

A large number of ready mix cement plants are functioning in Mangalore City Corporation limits, Ullal and in gram panchayats situated on Kerala border.
The Mangalore City Corporation, Dakshina Kannada zilla panchayat and Ullal town municipality should prepare a list of licensed ready mix plants in their jurisdiction. Meanwhile, the task force led by assistant commissioner, tahsildars, officials from mines and geology department, police and other officials should conduct raids and take action against such plants if operating illegally.

The DC directed the officials from Mines and Geology to install CC cameras at Sampaje, Talapady, Surathkal and Charmadi check posts to check the movement of sand laden trucks.

Additional staff from gram panchayat, revenue department and police department should be deployed to monitor. There is a need to stress on
regulating the movement of sand.

The DC said all trucks carrying sand should possess a slip on the weight. The validity issued for the permits should not go beyond one day. At present, the validity of a permit lasts for two to three days, he added.

The use of machineries including excavators, dredging machines and earth movers to extract sand should be stopped. There are complaints on use of dredging machines. He directed the Assistant Commissioner to seize the dredging machine and the district administration will bear the expenses incurred in getting the seized machine to the nearest government office premises, from the corpus fund. The seized sand should be handed over to the PWD and machine to the police.

“We have come to know that sand is being extracted using excavators and earth mover machines. We have issued license to 168 contractors in the district to carry out sand mining. However, it is found that contractors are violating rules. A special drive needs to launched against illegal extraction of sand. At the same time, a single license can be used by three boats for mining in CRZ area.”

The DC directed the officials to ensure that license number is displayed on the boats to ensure that there is no illegality.

Mines and Geology Deputy Director Ramappa said that sand blocks in Bangra Kuloor, Jeppinamogaru and Adyar have been notified for public use. Thirty eight blocks have been identified in non CRZ area.

“After we receive environment management plan and quarry plan, we can apply to empowered committee to get the clearance for sand mining.” The DC directed to identified three more areas for sand mining in Moodbidri and Bantwal for public use.
Mines and Geology Deputy Director Ramappa said penalty of Rs 57,38,200 has been collected from illegal sand transportation during 2014-15. Royalty and fine of Rs 1,12,92,500 has been collected during the period. The total temporary permits issued is 222.