Gawas backing illegal sand extraction: panel

Gawas backing illegal sand extraction: panel
HERALD CORRESPONDENT
BICHOLIM, AUG 18
Illegal extraction of sand under Amona Bridge is posing danger to the bridge, besides destroying farming activities in the area, even as local MLA Pratap Gawas has termed it a ‘political issue’.
It may be recalled that the illegal extraction of sand under Amona Bridge is going on since last the four years. Farmers from the area have also voiced their concern over the issue and termed it as illegal.
The work of sand extraction is done in the government land and there are several boats used for the purpose.
When this scribe visited the site, about 30 boats were lined up on the shore, besides several heaps of sand was also seen at the site.
“This is totally an illegal activity carried out on the government land and local MLA Pratap Gawas is supporting it,” Devkhadi Tenants Association Amona Chairman Umesh Parab told Herald.
“About 45 farmers had to abandon farming due to this activity. Not just this, but also they are involved in clearing the surrounding forest area and filling it for the smooth movement of the trucks,” claimed Parab.
After the incident, farmers through a memorandum complained to the Bicholim mamlatdar. The PWD had brought to the notice of the mamlatdar that the area adjacent to the road near Amona Bridge belongs to PWD and transporters are illegally using its area without any permission from the department.
Further, PWD officials had also submitted that due to illegal use of government land, which was acquired for construction of the Amona Bridge, has been continuously deteriorating due to sand extraction.
The department had also stated that there is an apprehension that the activity will cause damage to the piers and abutment of the bridge.
Bicholim Mamlatdar Pramod Bhat accepting the suggestions of the PWD had asked the department to construct a barricade or a gate so that piers of the bridge are not damaged.
He had also ordered to construct a barricade on the mud road approaching to the main highway so that the unauthorized movement of vehicles should be stopped from the government land and also the bridge should not be damaged.
After about five months from passing the order, the PWD constructed the gates on the land, but failed to lock it.
When this scribe went to the site, the gates were wide open for the movement of trucks.
“Recently, they build the gates but they never remain closed and this is just an eye wash,” charged Parab.
When contacted over the phone, Pale MLA Pratap Gawas, who was in Hyderabad, confirmed that there are about 75 persons, who are involved in sand extraction.
“The activities are going on some 300 mtrs away from the pillars of the bridge and might not be termed as a danger for the bridge,” said Gawas adding “the entire thing has no substance and is politically motivated.”
“The sand extraction work is going on everywhere in the State and we cannot target them. The issue is raised by some farmers, who are now denied money by the sand extractors,” stated Gawas.
When asked about the license of the sand extraction, Gawas said they don’t have any license. “They have applied for the license, but the work is not harming the bridge,’ he added.
Meanwhile, the farmers have demanded the authorities to look into the matter and stop the illegal sand extraction work in the area.