Tirupati: Check posts to curtail illegal sand shifting

Tirupati: The Nellore district police resolved to set up eight inter-state/inter-district check posts and nine check posts at the stock yards across the district, in coordination with the revenue and mines department personnel, to prevent illegal excavation and transportation of sand.

Superintendent of Police Aishwarya Rastogi recently took a decision to set up check posts on inter-state, inter-district borders and also at sand stock yards.

Check posts would be set up at the following places-- integrated check post at Tada, Jonnawada – Badvel, Sangam – Somasila, Nelaballi on Naidupeta–Srikalahasthi, Venkatagiri–Yerpedu, Sri City - SEZ Point, Thatiparthi-Varadai-palem and Athmakuru–Marripadu.

Also, nine check posts at sand stock points will come up at Pottepalem of Nellore Rural mandal, Mudivarthi of Vidavalur, Jonnawada of Buchireddy Palem, Swarnamukhi barrage of Vakadu, Pala-churu Anicut of Naidupeta, Kota Anicut of Kota, Chillakur of Chinthavaram, Viruvuru of Podalakur and Pada-mati Kambampadu of Ananthasagaram mandals.

Explaining about the steps taken by the police department in order to control illegal sand mining, the SP said, "All the check posts have been functioning round the clock in three shifts with personnel from the police, revenue and mines departments since October 29, 2019. They will check all vehicles shifting sand and verify the authenticity, quantum of sand and other legal aspects before releasing the vehicle from the sand reaches. Logistic support has already been provided at all check posts.”

Special squads have also been formed and these will be moving in the district in vehicles to check illegal transportation of sand. In addition, SHOs and local police will also conduct surprise checking on roads,” he added.

According to the official reports, the police booked 117 cases in the district since May 30, 2019 on illegal excavation and transportation of sand and also seized 258 vehicles,