Pics: Spoorthy Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network—Mangalore (SR/CN)

Mangalore, Jul 26: Deputy commissioner (DC) V Ponnuraj met with the Transport Operators’ Association on Monday July 26 to discuss the installation of GPS systems and talk about permission for sand mining.

Addressing a press conference at his office, Ponnuraj said that sand is being transported illegally from river beds of Dakshina Kannada to Kerala as sand mining is completely banned there.

“Only 40 contractors have the license to mine sand in the district. While the rate of sand per truck in the state is only Rs 2,000, it is being sold in Kerala for Rs 30,000. Hence, the contractors are engaged in illegal transportation of sand”, he said, adding that authorities can check the violation through GPS and every mining truck will be colour coded and assigned numbers.

“Buses do not follow rules often, so the district administration will check speeding, route diversions, and other violations through GPS. Similarly, illegal transportation of sand also can be checked with the installation of GPS. The GPS will record all details including speed, location, and direction of vehicles. Based on the GPS data, the authorities can take action against the violators”, added Ponnuraj.

“Illegal sand seized by the officials will be used for government constructions. The permit of the sand miners will be cancelled and the trucks seized if they violate rules. The task force will take action against violaters of the rule in the district and the resolution has been passed by the Regional Transport Authority (RTA)”, he informed.

This meeting was held specially for sand miners to provide them exact details of legal sand mining rules and the consequences of the violation of the act. The system will be introduced in the trucks soon.

K Ravindra, deputy director, department of mines and geology, was also present at the meeting.