Permission for 5 sand blocks in Udupi

Udupi: A 7 member committee has decided to give permission for sand extraction from 5 sand blocks in CRZ areas in Udupi and Brahmavar taluk, stated a release from the mines and geology department.

Altogether, 9 sand blocks have been identified in Udupi and Brahmavar limits and the KSCZMA had given permission for 7 sand blocks. Of these, there has been objection from the 2 sand blocks at Sita River, and hence the district committee has decided to open the remaining 5 sand blocks.

Earlier to 2011, there were 61 eligible traditional sand miners with permission, 45 of them have pointed the sand blocks and applied. Their complete information has been documented in ILMS software. T4U GPS Company from Thane has trained them on the process of getting permission for transportation of sand. Already 5 persons have got permission for sand extraction and transport, the remaining 40 applicants may avail sand with permission, informed the department.

10% reserved for government works

Henceforth, the public can purchase sand only from the 45 people who have been given the permission. Of the decided sand extraction limits, 10% of the sand has been reserved for government use and the sand miners will have to deposit the same at the stock yard of the Nirmithi Kendra at Nejar which will be used for government’s development work and housing programmes.

Altogether 30 sand blocks have been identified in non-CRZ areas including 8 in Udupi and Brahmavar taluk, 9 in Hebri and Kakala taluk and 13 in Kundapur taluk. Of them, 23 sand blocks hav been notified of which 6 sand blocks have been reserved for usage in government works and tender has been called for the remaining 17 sand blocks, informed the release.