Udupi: Udupi Deputy Commissioner Priyanka Mary Francis has said that she was not under any political pressure owing to the sand mining row that has rocked the district.

Priyanka Mary …Speaking to media men at the DC office, she said she was committed to adhere to the NGT guidelines on the issue. She said caution has to be exerted with regard to permitting sand mining as the issue is still before the NGT.

The Deputy Commissioner said the last date for submitting applications for sand extraction will be extended as so far only five applications have been received. She also informed that seven sand blocks have been identified in CRZ areas.

She informed that the Bathymetric survey being done with assistance from NITK experts to identify sand blocks in Swarna and Papanashini rivers, will be completed by October 29.