VISAKHAPATNAM: Finally, the government has decided to supply sand to Visakhapatnam district from Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and East Godavari districts. According to the government statement, over 11 lakh cu.mtr of sand is needed for construction activities in the PSUs, Navy, GVMC and personal uses. Currently, only 1.59 lakh cu.mtr sand is available with the district administration. However, due to lack of sand in the district and no supply from neighbouring districts, the CREDAI and other builders brought pressure on the government to review the matter. As there is no availability of sand in the market, the sand cost in the market has shot up to `45,000 per load.
Responding, HRD minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao asked chief secretary IVR Krishna Rao, who is here Tuesday, to intervene and find a solution to the construction activity which has been badly affected in the district.
Krishna Rao convened an emergency meeting with the collectors of East Godavari, Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam here. Ministers Ganta Srinivasa Rao and Palle Raghunatha Reddy were present.
After the meeting, Ganta Srinivasa Rao told mediapersons that with the direction of the chief secretary, Srikakulam collector P Lakshmi Nrusimham had agreed to supply nine lakh cu.mtr sand to Visakhapatnam. However, the collector requested for a single operator for transportation of sand from Srikakulam. The East Godavari Collector has also accepted to supply sand to Visakhapatnam. Due to copious rains and floods, the collector said that till the floodwater receded 1,500 cu.mtr sand a day will be supplied, later it will be increased to 5,000 cu.mtr. The Navy and the GVMC would discuss with the East Godavari district administration for sand for their activities. Vizianagaram collector MM Naik has also agreed to supply sand from their reaches to Visakhapatnam, Ganta said.
Vizag collector N Yuvaraj would monitor the sand supply and 2.19 lakh cu.mtr sand would be reserved for the small and individual constructions from the existing two sand banks. The defence sector has been asking for 2.58 lakh cu.mtr, while RINL has sought two lakh cu.mtr sand. About 2.30 lakh cu.mtr sand was needed for the Polavaram project, Ganta Srinivasa Rao said. On the price and regulations on the supply, the minister said that Yuvaraj would review the supply of sand and impose some regulations to ensure availability to all constructions.
Earlier, when asked why Srikakulam district did not supply sand, though it has huge stocks of it, the minister blamed some local problems.