Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Jul 7: Strangely, officials concerned have turned a blind eye to the illegal transportation of sand heaped on the bank of Gurpur River by GMR Energy Company. The sand was dredged from the river for facilitating the shifting of the company’s floating power plant at Tannirbavi here, and also to act as a deterrent against sea and river erosion.

The sand was heaped in places where sea and river erosion was grave. Surprisingly, the officials, who are bound to stick to Coastal Regulatory Zone rules which ban sand mining in the area, have refrained from taking any action against this illegal activity. The sand being transported has been heaped in front of the guest house of the forest department in Tannirbavi. It may be recalled that sand was also transported from the river bank at Padpu House in the recent past.

Because of the digging, huge pits have been formed on the river bank, which can prove disastrous during the monsoon months. The people are angry that the government has not done anything to stop blatant violation of rules and removal of sand heaps which have been acting as protective walls against sea erosion, at a time when huge sums are being spent elsewhere to stop surging sea from endangering human habitats.

Because of the stringent measures initiated by the former deputy commissioner, Subodh Yadav, incidence of illegal sand transportation had come down drastically. The activity is gaining momentum again, the local people said. They have urged the district administration and other official to jump into action and stop this activity.