Illegal quarrying and transportation of sand is rampant in Kadapa district

Kadapa: Despite Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy is keen on preventing illegal quarrying and transportation of sand in the district it was unabated due to various reasons. Seizure of 56o tones of sand on 31-1-2020 conducting raids by Vigilance& Enforcement officials on sand dump at Amritha Nagar area in Prodaturu town witnessed the intensity of the situation.

Manhandling by the sand mafia on Somaraju palle VRO K.sudhakar Reddy on 11th December 2018, attack on cops by the smugglers at Sesha Reddy palle witnessed how sand mafia running paralal administration in the district.

As per the norms sand has to be quarried only in 10 reaches against about 25 existing in the district. They're also standing instructions that the vehicles which are proposed to transport the sand should compulsory GPS instrument to know the details related to transportation of sand like it being carried for local consumption or outside areas from the district.

According to the sources in view of expecting Rs 5.11 crores through sand quarrying, the government has specified some guidelines directed the administration to implement them in an effective manner. It is permitted to dig the sand up to 80,000 cubic meters depth in the specified quarries in view of fetching revenue to the government. But these norms are not followed reportedly involvement of politicos in the matter as such move embarrassing the official machinery forced to maintain spectator role though they were well aware of ongoing illegal quarrying and transportation in several pockets.

"Though it is an open secret official least bothered over the issue because as they turned behest at the ruling party leader. I myself take pains by informing the matter over hiding sand dump at the Amrutha Nagar in Proddaturu. there number such dumps in various pockets in the district as no one feel responsible. Twice week sand is being illegally transported to Bangalore and Chennai but no one feels responsible said BJP Proddatur town convener G.srinivasulu to Hans India.

"We are spending sleepless nights due to illegal quarrying of sand day and night from Penna river. In case we tried to restrict the smugglers we should face dire consequences from them. There are several instances that villagers being manhandled by sand mafia when tried to stop the illegal quarrying" said A.Prathap Reddy Mudhunuru mandal told.