Illegal Sand Mining Thrives in Karimnagar
To curb illegal extraction and transport, taskforce police have intensified enforcement, seizing stocks and vehicles and registering cases against those involved.
Karimnagar: Illegal sand mining continues in Karimnagar district despite enforcement measures by the police and mining authorities, with operators extracting sand from rivulets and water bodies and stockpiling it in nearby villages.
Officials said the activity has intensified ahead of the monsoon, as extraction becomes difficult once rains begin. Taskforce police have conducted raids in recent weeks and detected illegal sand stocks in several villages.
At present, a tractor load of sand is sold at around Rs 2,500 in the open market, compared to about Rs 2,700 through the government’s ‘Mana Isuka Vahanam’ portal. However, prices are reported to rise sharply during the rainy season, with illegal operators selling a tractor load for up to Rs 7,000.
Sources said technical issues in online booking and delays in supply have led some consumers to turn to unauthorised suppliers, contributing to higher prices in the illegal market.
The government supplies sand through identified quarries and facilitates online booking through its portal to meet local demand.
There are allegations that local influential persons and second-rung political leaders are involved in illegal mining and stocking, with some tractor owners also engaged in the activity. Sand is reportedly stored in open areas as well as residential premises.
To curb illegal extraction and transport, taskforce police have intensified enforcement, seizing stocks and vehicles and registering cases against those involved.
Taskforce ACP Sathish Vasala said tractors were being used for illegal sand transport in areas including Manakondur, Khazipur and Renigunta. He noted that only tractors with commercial registration are permitted for such use, while most are registered for agricultural purposes.
He said that along with sand stocks, vehicles were seized and cases registered against owners of premises where the material was stored.
So far this year, 590 cases have been registered against 816 persons, and 753 vehicles have been seized.
