KTR for surgical strikes to curb illegal sand mining

Hyderabad: Mining and Industries Minister KT Rama Rao on Tuesday directed District Collectors to conduct surgical strikes on illegal transport of sand and punish those involved in irregularities.

At a video conference, the Minister asked Collectors to provide adequate stocks of sand for irrigation projects and help boost revenues through sand mining. “The Collectors should set up joint groups with revenue and police wings and conduct raids on illegal sand mining and transport that cause heavy loss to the government”, he said. He suggested that vehicles found transporting sand illegally should be seized.

KTR asked Collectors to procure sand for irrigation projects from areas prone to submergence and use it for commercial purposes through TSMDC to boost revenues through sand mining as per norms. Police officials should act tough in coordination with the revenue officials to check illegal mining and stocking of sand.

The officials informed the Minister that adequate stocks of sand were available for projects and civil works in various departments. “The joint teams should make district level tours for the purpose and set up more sand reaches through TSMDC”, he added. TSMDC Chairman Sheri Subhash Reddy, Mining Principal Secretary Arvind Kumar and other officials were present.