TEAM HERALD
BELGAUM: The PWD and RTO officials in Belgaum have seized over 20 trucks transporting illegal sand from Belgaum district and Ramnagar in Karwar district to Goa.
Tremendous rise in demand from Goa for sand from Belgaum has led to the rise in alleged illegal supply to Goa. The fact was ascertained as a large number of dumpers carrying sand from Belgaum district and Ramnagar in Karwar district are being seized.
Acting on the information from social activists in Khanapur tauka, PWD has commenced initiating action on such dumpers, majority from Goa.
However, alleged inaction from Goan authorities in taking action against the flourishing sand trade has baffled authorities in Belgaum.
“There is a rising number of illicit sand trade and the out of job dumpers from Goa, due to mining ban, are being used for this job. After loading sand from Khanapur, Londa and Ramnagar areas, these dumpers take Chorla Road to Goa either in the wee hours or during late night,” a senior PWD official from Khanapur told Herald.
The PWD and RTO officials in Belgaum, in a joint operation, have seized over 20 such dumpers since Monday after which the movement of these dumpers to Goa has slowed down.
Apart from RTO staff, the state home guards too are being pressed into service for the job. The issue has become serious as rising demand from Goa has led to rising extraction of sand from River Ghataprabha, Mahadeyi and other rivulets in the region which is posing threat to ecological balance.
Moreover, sand available from Belgaum district is comparatively cheaper and better in quality than other sources.
Social activists and greens from Belgaum who are now up in arms have submitted memorandums to authorities to ban this illegal trade and also initiate stringent action against those involved.
