PNS|Ongole
Expressing concern over the indiscriminate sand mining in the rivers, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) MLA D Bala Veeranjaneya Swamy feared that the extraction of sand in a big way from the river would cause a 1979 situation in the near future.
The MLA participated in a programme protesting against the indiscriminate plundering of sand from the river and streams at Chatukupadu village in Zarugumalli mandal on Monday.
Addressing the gathering on the occasion, the TDP MLA said that the indiscriminate extraction of sand by the sand mafia would lead to the depletion of underground water resources. If the direction of water flow was changed the 1979 situation would recur in the area, he feared.
He said that since there is a huge demand for sand, the sand mafia is plundering the sand from the river and stream and transporting sand illegally in a big way from the area. The officials have failed to prevent illegal sand mining and transportation, he criticized. He alleged that sand extraction and illegal transportation were taking place with the connivance of officials.
Accidents are taking place in rural areas as the sand-transporting vehicles are being driven in a reckless manner at high speed.
The TDP MLA cautioned that natural calamity took place in 1979 due to the extraction of sand stating that the people living the riverside are expressing concern. The government should take steps to check the illegal sand mining and to protect the riverside villages from natural calamities.
When the village panchayat officials prevented the illegal sand mining and transportation from Vempadu village, the mafia gangs threatened them, and he slammed them. The TDP activists led by MLA Bala Veeranjaneyulu staged a protest at Chtukupadu village near the Paleru river opposing the illegal sand mining by the sand mafia. The MLA said that the TDP leader would lodge a complaint with the local police station and Tahasildar asking for action to stop the illegal sand mining and transportation.
