Joda: Sand is allegedly being lifted in thousands of tonnes for the construction of the Kanpur dam, and is illegally being supplied to private agencies under the very nose of the administration in Keonjhar district. The government is losing crores of rupees towards revenue due to this illegal sand lifting.
The illegal sand trade came to light after locals intercepted a heavy vehicle loaded with sand at Joda bus stand area late Friday night.
The National Green Tribunal had January 7 directed all the state governments to stop sand mining in riverbeds without prior environmental clearance.
The apex court had earlier asked all the state governments to check sand lifting from riverbeds.
It is alleged that some officials from the district administration are in cahoots with the sand mafia.
According to sources, contractors in Joda are purchasing illegally excavated sand from Jhumpura and Champua tehsil areas for cheap rates in order to make profits.
A few months back, Champua tehsil administration had leased out plot-1384 (khata 153AAA) of river Kisam in Patal village to Ratna Infrastructure for construction of Kanpur dam project. The sand lease was meant for construction of the main canal of the dam from the point 39150M to 59790M.
But what needs to be probed by authorities is how much of sand has been transported and used for the dam and how much has been provided to the contractors of the private companies.
The private companies have stocked the sand at their depots.
The construction work of Kanpur dam project has been halted since March due to protests by the project affected people.
Locals sought to know that when construction has been put to a halt, how the sand is being lifted, transported and used. They also sought to know how come the tehsil administration has filed to notice such illegalities.
The sand is being used for construction of a bleaching plant at Purba Joda-Bhutbnagala and at a construction work on the way to Inganijhar.
This correspondent asked a driver and helper of a vehicle parked at a sand depot about the source of the sand. The duo said the sand is being brought from Katalposi area of Jhumpura.
Champua sub-collector Santosh Kumar Mishra admitted the illegal sand lifting and said that tehsil officials will conduct raids and check documents.
Champua tehsildar said the lease term expired May 14 and raids will be carried out to check illegal sand lifting.
Jhumpura tehsildar Shiba Toppo said nobody was granted sand lease in Katalpasi area and added that illegally excavated sand is being transported not only to Joda but also to other areas.
According to official sources, a tehsildar can allow use of sand up to 350 cubic metres, but huge mounds of sand have been stocked in Joda area.
Collector N Tirumala Nayak said he will personally look into the matter before taking any action.
Environmentalists pointed that the sand lifting in the area is in blatant violation of orders given by Supreme Court and National Green Tribunal.
