Tirupati: Rampant illegal sand mining is thriving across Naidupeta, Pellakuru and Ozili mandals through excessive exploitation of the Swarnamukhi river and its banks.
Rules are clear on the transportation of sand for local needs using bullock carts and tractors. But, the sand mafia, allegedly shielded by ruling-side politicians, flout these and continue to dominate the trade unchecked.
Residents and activists note that the sand mafia has grown bolder due to the inaction of revenue and police officials, whose palms are greased by such rackets. Politicians too gain majorly from these rule violations.
"The nexus between the mafia and local politicians is spectacular. Complaints from residents yield no response from the authorities," stated a local activist.
Sand is being excavated from the Swarnamukhi river using heavy machinery in a blatant violation of environmental regulations. It is transported by tractors to dumping sites and later moved via lorries to Chennai and other areas.
Tractor operators reportedly earn Rs 700 to Rs 1,800 per trip. The illegally mined sand is sold to big-time contractors at exorbitant prices ranging from Rs 3,000 to Rs 6,000 per load.
"We see large heaps of sand stored near our village daily. Lorries carry this away without any hindrance from the authorities. Meanwhile, ordinary people like us struggle to get sand for our house construction and we are forced to pay hefty bribes," lamented a resident from Bhimavaram village in Naidupeta mandal.
No one however wants to come out in the open against the sand mafia for fear of physical attacks.
In Ozili village in Tirupati, the sand mafia has erected makeshift paths in the river at Josyulavari Kandriga to facilitate easy transport. A dispute recently erupted between the mafia operatives and locals. Locals obstructed the illegal activities being carried out in the guise of meeting “local requirements.”
In Pellakuru mandal, areas such as Mummareddygunta, Pennepalli and Kalavakuru are the hotspots for illegal sand mining.
The Kallipedu Panchayat is also seeing the mafia's activities. In Moorthireddypalem and Ayyappareddypalem, unauthorised roads have been laid within the Swarnamukhi river to enable seamless sand transport. The corrupt officials are looking the other way.
The mafia’s operations extend to nearby dumping sites, forcing even middle-class families to pay bribes to get sand for their family work. "We are forced to pay money to the mafia. There is no alternative," complained a resident of Pellakuru.
A revenue official acknowledged the issue, stating, “There is no permission for sand mining in the Swarnamukhi river. Sand for personal use must be obtained through online registration. We plan to create trenches in areas like Thummuru and Moorthireddypalem to stop illegal tractor access," he said.
