Soil Mafia Runs Rampant in Parvathipuram Manyam amid Official Apathy
They alleged that tractors continue to transport soil out of the district while authorities remain passive.
Visakhapatnam: Indiscriminate and unauthorised soil excavation by real estate developers has become rampant in Parvathipuram Manyam district, with illegal operations continuing unabated along the Andhra Pradesh–Odisha interstate highway amid alleged official inaction.
In Parvathipuram and surrounding areas, developers are using JCBs to excavate large quantities of soil and transport it in tractors, often round the clock. The activity has now spread to Gumada village in Komarada mandal, where soil is being dug next to the Seethamambapuram pond without any permits. Alarmed by the scale of excavation, local residents are preparing to submit representations to the district collector.
Despite repeated instances of illegal soil mining and encroachment on water bodies, officials from the mining, revenue and secretariat departments have allegedly failed to intervene. Residents say excavation has continued unchecked for several months in Komarada and neighbouring mandals, with soil being removed day and night along the highway.
Locals allege that the negligence of mining officials has emboldened developers, allowing them to operate openly without fear of action. “Even when ponds are encroached upon, there is no response from the authorities,” residents said.
CPM leader Kolli Sambamurthy accused mining officials of deliberately turning a blind eye to the issue. He alleged that tacit understandings between officials and developers have enabled illegal excavation to continue unhindered, even during holidays. He claimed that while complaints sometimes lead to brief detentions, those involved are released almost immediately without a proper assessment of the extent of the theft. He also alleged that officials often switch off their phones when contacted.
Residents said the soil mafia has thrived due to the abdication of responsibility by revenue and secretariat staff, leaving enforcement solely to mining officials. They alleged that tractors continue to transport soil out of the district while authorities remain passive.
The CPM has demanded immediate intervention by the District Collector and called for strict action against both the developers involved and officials accused of negligence. The party has also urged the administration to put in place preventive measures to curb future illegal excavation.
