Tough action against illegal sand mining

Eluru: West Godavari district Joint Collector Dr T Baburao Naidu on Tuesday warned people against excavation and transportation of mineral resources, including sand and soil illegally. He was presiding over the district-level task force meeting of Mines and Geology Department here on Tuesday. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Naidu said some people were diverting the natural resources like sand, soil and other mineral resources overnight and directed the officials to seize those vehicles and put a stop to those illegal mining and transportation for commercial purposes. Dr Naidu said 267 vehicles were seized and Rs. 98.73 lakhs were realised in the form of fines against illegal transporters last year. He asked people to obtain proper permission for transportation of sand and soil from authorities even for personal use. He also warned those who have been diverting valuable sand resource from Tammileru rivulet through bullock carts overnight for commercial purpose and directed the officials to seize such carts.

Pats official The Joint Collector lauded DWAMA Project Director Ramachandra Reddy for acting tough against illegal sand tansporters and seizing illegally stocked sand worth over Rs 2 lakh at Pinakadimi village of Pedavegi mandal in a surprise raid. He asked the official to divert the same for use in the construction of government buildings. Additional Superintendent of Police PSV Satyanarayana, Deputy Director of Mines and Geology V Koteswara Raju, District geological department YS Babu, DWAMA project Director Ramachandra Reddy, RTO M Purendra among other officials participated in the meeting.