YSRCP stages protest over illegal sand mining

Rajamahendravaram: YSRCP spokesperson and former MP Margani Bharat Ram accused ruling party leaders on Wednesday of endangering public safety through large-scale illegal sand mining in the Godavari River, and potentially damaging key structures, including the Gaman Bridge and the Dowleswaram Barrage.

Bharat staged a protest along with local residents and party cadre at Mallaiahpeta near the paper mill timber depot, a route frequently used by sand-laden lorries operating from Kotilingalapeta sand ramps. Protesters raised slogans demanding a ban on sand transport vehicles within the city and expressed concerns over what they termed as unchecked exploitation.

The demonstration led to a traffic jam for nearly an hour on the Katheeru–Rajamahendravaram main road, with vehicles stranded on both sides.

Speaking on the occasion, Bharat Ram alleged that sand is being excavated indiscriminately using dredging boats under the guise of boatmen societies and transported illegally in hundreds of lorries. He claimed that this has been going on with the support of some ruling party leaders, resulting in significant illegal earnings.

He further stated that the continuous movement of sand trucks over the past two years has led to rising dust and pollution levels in Mallaiahpeta, affecting the health of residents. Cases of respiratory and skin-related ailments have reportedly increased, he said, adding that accidents involving sand-laden lorries have also become frequent.

He alleged that around 500 to 600 sand-laden lorries ply on the route daily, causing a loss to government revenue through unaccounted transactions. According to him, while 15 sand ramps are operational in the Kotilingalapeta area, only two have official permissions.