Sand from Netravati provided at doorsteps

Bantwal: In accordance, to the instruction of the deputy commissioner of the district the sand recovered during the dredging being conducted since a  a month at a distance of 500 meters from the dam, near Talapady has been collected in two vast yards. Presently, the sand is being distributed through the Sand Bazaar App and more than 500 loads of sand is being dispatched every day. The area where the sand is being stored has currently changed into a selling centre.

The contract of dredging is given to Nalco Company of Delhi and they have given sub contract to a private company of Mangaluru. The dredging process is being conducted under CCTV vigilance.

Currently, the sand is being directly transported from the stock point to the door of the buyer at a reasonable rate, without the middlemen and the system is functioning efficiently. All a potential buyer needs to do is check the price online, pay online and expect the delivery at ones door step in good time. Failure to deliver the sand within the promised date and time will attract relevant action against the driver and the contractor.

By booking through the app, the buyer does not need to pay separate rent for the vehicle and additionally, the buyer will get the message of the type of vehicle, its registration number and the status of loading on his or her smart phone. The slogan of the Sand Bazaar App is ‘From Shore to Every Door’ and all efforts are being put to make it an efficient system. The rate of the sand is decided by the district administration based on which the sand will be provided to the buyers. This process is the first of its kind in the state and is controlled by the Geology and Mines department.

The current rate of the sand is fixed at Rs 480 per tonne and the entire procedure from booking to payment of money is done in a transparent manner through online. Presently, sand is available only at the Talapady stock point, however in the future; it will be available at other places.

Speaking of the system, the app development engineer Naveen said, “All the details right from booking of the sand, payment, vehicle booking and tracking status of the truck transporting the sand are available on the Sand Bazaar App. This is convenient for the buyer. In addition, information on booking, buyer and location of the sand stock point is available through Google map view.”

The App is developed to bring transparency and easier execution of sand mining in the district. This App is inaugurated without any publicity. This App will work in three different sections of Contractors, Transporters and Citizens – Sasikant Senthil, Deputy Commissioner of Dakshina Kannada district