Illegal granite mining rampant in Anantapur
Illicit mining and transportation of granite rocks is on rise in many parts of the district
By : DC Correspondent
Update: 2015-08-26 07:53 GMT
Anantapur: Illicit mining and transportation of granite rocks is on rise in many parts of the district including Karnataka borders. Many leaders of various parties reportedly owned mining leases and involved in large scale of illicit mining activities by occupying government and forest lands for big blocks of valuable granite. The granite blocks are being transported to Tadipatri, Bengaluru and Krishnapatnam port.
A horrible train mishap occurred near Penukonda-Madakasira LC gate after a heavy loaded granite laden truck rammed into Nanded Express, exposed illicit transportation of granite blocks from Madakasira, Penukonda, Hindupur, Kalyanadurg and other parts of the district.
The mines department officials found the granite blocks cut from government lands at P. Badegara in Agali mandal in Anantapur district. About 2.50 acre of granite quarry in 290 survey number was given lease to Subba Rayudu of Tadipatri in 2010 and he gave away sub-lease for Kishtappa. The traders encroached quarries in 290/1 survey number instead of 290 survey number lands.
Mining AD Sreenivasa Chowdary said about 59 blocks were demarked in the government land after imposing penalty of '3.30 crore on the lease agreement holder. "But, several blocks were shifted away from the spot," the official observed.
The granite stone that rammed into AC coach of Nanded Express was weighing around 30 tonnes being lifted from 290/1 survey number at Badigera quarries. Further, most of the hills and even small quarries were occupied by leaders for mining activities because of ongoing railway line in between Tumkur-Rayadurg. Collector K. Sasidhar said stringent action would be initiated to curb illicit mining activities.