Udupi: District admin claims no shortage of building materials as lorry strike continues

Udupi: The district administration has said that there is no shortage of construction materials in Udupi. The annual production of 32,62,808 metric tonnes of secondary minerals from 127 official building quarry leases in 2023-24 exceeds the district’s demand of 20,00,000 metric tonnes. Thus, the district’s demand is being fully met, it said.

The monthly demand for normal sand for building construction is about 65,500 metric tons. Already 1,32,215 metric tonnes of normal sand is available. From October, normal sand will be supplied from the 41 sand blocks under Gram Panchayat limits, Udupi DC said.

In total, 1,61,360 metric tonnes of M-sand is also available in the district, stated a press release by District Collector Dr. Vidyakumari.

October 7 deadline for GPS adoption:

The state government has made GPS mandatory for all mineral supply vehicles since last December. Consequently, mineral transportation permits in ILMS software can be obtained only if GPS is adopted. Construction material transport vehicles have until October 7 to comply with this requirement. For the procurement of building stone, gravel, or M-Sand, one can contact the Control Room of the Mines and Geology Department at 0820-2950088.

Bandh not allowed:

Meanwhile, the police department has cautioned that the bandh call by the lorry union as “illegal and unconstitutional. Citing a ruling of the Kerala High Court, Udupi police said that bandh is illegal and unconstitutional as it is considered to be against the fundamental rights of common people. This position also upheld by the Supreme Court in a prior case.

Therefore, the bandh call made by the District Lorry Owners Union and other organizations on October 3 is deemed illegal and unconstitutional. As it infringes upon the fundamental rights of the common people, there is no room for any form of bandh or related protests. no processions can be permitted in the district, stated District Superintendent of Police Dr. K Arun in a press release.

Lorry owners’ strike continues:

Lorry and tempo owners involved in transporting building materials across the district observed a strike on Saturday and will continue into Sunday too. The lorry owners’ union has turned to prayer to seek a resolution to their problems.

Special prayers were conducted at Perduru Mahatobhara Sri Anantapadmanabha Temple, Mullugudde Koragajjana Deity, on Saturday by the Perduru, Hiriyadaka, Kukkehalli zone by the Federation of Lorry/Tempo Owners Organizations. Additionally, various unions are convening here to outline their future strategies.