Coastal Talk News | Udupi
Raghavendra Shetty, secretary of the Udupi Lorry and Tempo Owners’ Association, accused the district administration of failing to curb the alleged illegal transportation of M-sand from Udupi district to neighbouring Kerala, despite strong local demand for M-Sand in Udupi.
Speaking to reporters here on Monday, Shetty alleged that officials of the Mines and Geology Department were acting in collusion with stone crusher owners and allowing M-sand to be transported to Kerala. He said the continued movement of M-sand out of the district had led to a severe shortage, affecting construction activities in the district. The livelihoods of lorry owners and drivers are also badly affected, he rued.
He added that high M-sand prices charged by stone crusher units were making house construction increasingly difficult for middle-class families within Udupi district. While local lorry owners and drivers were allegedly being harassed even when transporting sand legally, he claimed, the movement of M-sand to Kerala continued unchecked. Raghavendra Shetty said several M-sand-laden lorries were seen moving from Belmannu region towards Kerala via Padubidri and Mangaluru. He said that after the issue was brought to the notice of Kaup MLA Gurme Suresh Shetty, MLA contacted officials and urged them to take strict action against those violating the rules. However, no raids had been conducted, he alleged. Warning that continued transportation could deplete the district’s natural resources, Raghavendra Shetty said the association would soon stage a protest in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office.
