Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JS)
Mangaluru, Mar 17: Deputy commissioner A B Ibrahim on Thursday March 17 convened a meeting in the wake of acute shortage of sand in the district and informed that norms on sand mining have been relaxed to meet the demand.
The norms on sand mining were relaxed to attract more bidders to take part in the sand mining in the district, he said.
"In order to bid for sand blocks in the district, currently there are a number of conditions that need to be met by the bidders. One of the major constraint is that bidders should be the owners of 50 percent of the vehicles and equipment required for the sand mining. But according to the relaxed norms the bidders may bid with leased vehicles and equipment. Another rule on installation of GPS system in sand transportation vehicle has been relaxed so that more bidders would come forward.
"According to the newly revised norms, the rule that sand cannot be transported in trucks registered before 2009 has also been relaxed with the view that the shortage can be met," the DC said.
"We have relaxed some of the conditions so that the sand crisis in the district can be solved by attracting more bidders," he added.
"The department of mines and geology has identified 38 sand mining blocks in Non-CRZs (coastal regulation zone), but tenders have been invited only for 23 blocks on the banks of Gurupur river, Netravati river and Kumaradhara river. Contracts for four sand blocks – two in Sajipapadu and one each in Barimar and Sajipamunnuru, have already been given.
"Contractors are allowed to collect sand from allotted sand blocks and dump the same in respective storage yards. The process of selling will be made transparent and only those with proper documents like building licence will be given sand. The contractors are only permitted to collect and dump the sand in dumpyard. Sale of sand will be done only through the public works department. Sand will be given to those who want to construct houses in the district on priority. Payment for contractors will be made once in 15 days," he explained.
The DC said that the price of sand per tipper will be Rs 3,750 excluding transportation.
"In order that the construction work taken up by Mangaluru City Corporation and Dakshina Kannada zilla panchayat do not stall, one sand mining block is allotted to them. Decision to allow sand mining in 19 sand blocks of CRZs in the district will be taken only after the union ministry of environment and forests gives the nod," he added.