Bengaluru swallows up the Tungabhadra sand, Davangere residents suffer

DAVANGERE: Sand extracted from the Tungabhadra river, considered precious in the construction industry, is unavailable for people of nearby Davangere district as it is being transported illegally to Bengaluru every day, hoodwinking the police and PWD staff of the district.

Even though the Tunghabadra, lifeline of central Karnataka, passes through Honnali, Harihar and Harapanahalli taluks in the district, people who plan to construct houses are finding it difficult to get sand which is also unavailable for developmental works launched by the government.

Scarcity of sand has increased after the state government implemented its new sand policy. Though permission has been accorded for sand mining during winter and the rainy season, people are finding it hard to get sand.

According to sources, a total of 58 points have been identified for sand extraction. However sand mining has been stopping following the advent of the monsoon. Thousands of cubic metres of sand was stocked in some stockyards in the district but getting it is not an easy task.

Superintendent of police Dr. Boralingaiah told Deccan Chronicle that they are conducting special drives to check illegal sand extraction.