Udupi: The Mine and Geology Department will be giving permission for the traditional extraction of sand from 5 sand blocks on Thursday. Sand extraction is expected to begin from the next day itself.

Permission has been given for sand extraction from 5 sand blocks within the limits of the Coastal Regulatory Zone (CRZ) along the Swarna River. Bathometric survey has been conducted on the remaining sand blocks and in future, permission will be given for the extraction of sand there. 11 sand blocks have been identified in the non-CRZ areas and the tender process is being conducted. Sand mining will begin in a span of 3-4 weeks, informed an officials from the department of mine and geology.

The 40,000 cmt of sand seized during the raid at an illegal sand mining location at Kodi will be used by the PWD for government works including the construction of building and roads. 2 sand blocks from the non-CRZ areas have been reserved for the PWD and there is a delay since one of the sand block is submerged beneath the water. Soon, sand mining will be started at the other sand block, informed the officials.