Bhandaripokhari: The Baritarani riverbed under this block in Bhadrak district has turned into a hunting ground of sand mafia while occasional raids have allegedly failed to curb the illegal sand trade.
The government is losing crores of rupees towards revenue.
Reports said, the mafia has engaged excavators and been lifting sand from ghats at Maninathpur, Mudhapada and Balipopkhari areas. Truckloads of sand are illegally extracted from the river and transported from riverbed every night.
Locals alleged the revenue officials carry out raid, but occasionally only. The sand has high demand as construction works have been going on in various parts of the district.
The sand mafia has engaged tractors, mini trucks and excavators in the riverbed to carry on their work, locals lamented.
As Illegal sand mining has been rampant, the government loses crores of rupees. The tehsil and police administration have closed their eyes to the illegal sand mining, they rued.
It has caused resentment among people in these areas. Due to wanton sand mining, the banks of the river have been eroding while embankments at some places have weakened. Locals alleged that though they have repeatedly drawn the attention of revenue and police officials to the problem, the administration is not taking any action.
They also said that the administration fails to muster courage to take on the sand mafia.
For the last few days, the mafia has engaged two excavators at Maninathpur ghat and has been lifting sand at night. In the day time, they supplied it elsewhere. They have set their own people on various roads to protect and ensure passage of their trucks and tractors.
Recently, tehsildar Mrutyunjay Bhuyan had seized two mini trucks and imposed fine of Rs 30,105 on the mafia.
Later, a team of revenue officials seized a mini truck and five tractors at the same ghat.
Locals, however, were upset over the penalty. They alleged that the officials just impose fine while the sand mafia is allowed to go scot-free.
Tehsildar Bhuyan said the administration is well aware of sand lifting and action is being taken.
“We are thinking of a permanent solution to the problem” the tehsildar added.
