Illegal mining a serious threat to water bodies in Medak

Medak: Illegal sand mining is going on unabated in the district. Though the High Court has issued a stay on the transport of sand, miscreants keep indulging in sand mining. The uncontrolled mining of sand has resulted in rivers and water bodies losing their shape. On the other hand, sand is being sold at high price, hitting hard the commoners.

In the wake of the huge demand for sand, the State Mineral Development Corporation has initiated an action plan and set up a sub-stock yard in Medak. If anyone is in need of sand, they can book online and can pick up sand from the yard that the company sells.

Here in Medak, the sand is brought from the Manair river in Karimnagar district. The cost of a cubic meter of sand will be decided soon, including transportation costs. Sand will be available for everyone after setting up the yard. On the other hand, illegal transportation needs to be prevented.

The Manjeera river quenches the thirst of people of Hyderabad metropolitan areas and the adjacent Medak district. In addition, water is also being provided for cultivation. The river has been losing its identity due to heavy sand mining from the river. Sand mining is going on rampantly from the Haldi river to the Manjeera river.

Illegal sand mining has been a widespread and frenzied activity in Medak, Haveli Ghanpur, Pappannapeta, Veldurthi and Shanankarampeta, along with Ramayampet and Nizampeta areas. Tractors, tippers, and even donkeys are being used for transportation of sand as there is a huge demand for it.

On the other hand, Tahsildars are not giving permits for sand mining to undertake development works. Even though, the illegal mining is taking place, the police and the revenue departments are not taking serious steps to control the transportation of the sand.

The Telangana State Mineral Development Corporation (TSMDC) has been receiving huge revenue through sand for five years. Also, sub-stock yards are being set up under the supervision of the company where the sand is needed. Sub-divisional yards were set up in four locations in Hyderabad. After that, steps were taken to set up the fifth yard in the district headquarters of Medak.

Those who want to buy sand from the sub-stock yard, setup by the TSMDC will have to register themselves online. The sand can be booked as needed by going to the website. The tractor or trolley vehicle number will be required to be followed by online booking. If the vehicle arrives at the substation yard by taking the allotted number, it will be filled with sand, where a way-bill will be provided and the cost of transporting the sand from the sub-stock yard will be borne by the buyer.

Authorities are hopeful that the illegal mining might be controlled by this initiative apart from generating revenue to the government.