Illegal sand mining is rampant along the banks of Vamsadhara and Nagavali rivers despite the claims of the authorities that they are inspecting the ramps frequently and imposing fines on lawbreakers. Even though there is no permission for sand quarrying in the district, sand smugglers are doing brisk business in Srikakulam district round the clock.
The highly influential sand mafia is illegally digging sand from the river beds of Vamsadhara and Nagavali, and are transporting it to Srikakulam and the neighbouring districts including Visakhapatnam. The officials have booked more than 100 cases across the district in the last few months and have collected penalties amounting to lakhs of rupees. Yet, there seems to be no stoppage of illegal sand mining.
During 2009-10, the district administration gave permissions to about 28 sand ramps for mining operations. However, the number came down to eight ramps this year. But following the expiry of the lease period for seven ramps about six months ago, only one ramp at Yaragam has the permission to operate. However, due to a court case, the officials said, that no sand mining has been happening at Yaragam currently. The government has to conduct auction of the sand ramps every year and fresh auctions have been delayed.
Sources said the sand smugglers are reportedly pocketing between Rs 80 crore and Rs 100 crore worth of sand every year from the rivers of Vamsadhara, Nagavali, Bahuda and Mahendratanaya, even as they are causing a loss of Rs 40 - Rs 50 crore to the government. “The contractors are selling sand at Rs 12,000 to Rs 16,000 a truck and are causing damage to the river as well as ecology,” said an official in the mines department.
The contractors dig the sand and store in the nearby farm houses to transport it during the night or in the early hours. However at some rural places, all this has been happening during broad daylight.
Sand mining is rampant in areas like Ponnada, Bhairi Karajada, Kallepalli, Ampili, Kaduma, Ponnam Batteru and Vasudevapatnam, along with a few other areas.
The sand ramp auctions under the purview of the District Water Management Agency (DWMA), are not being conducted due to lack of environmental clearances.
“Immediately after obtaining environmental clearances, we will conduct the auction. Till then, we are relying on both the revenue and the police departments who are conducting surprise checks to stop sand mining. Cases are being registered and heavy penalties are being levied on the violators if a sand-laden vehicle is found on the roads,” DWMA project director Kalyana Chakravarthy told Express.