KOLAR: Though the State Government has banned sand mining in Kolar district, contractors are adopting various methods to transport sand from various parts of the district to Bangalore and other places.
Hundreds of truckloads of sand were being transported to various places from the district every day till it was banned two months ago. Sand is being transported in trucks that have hardtop and even on bullock carts and tractors from the riverbeds in Srinivasapur, Mulbagal, Gowribidanur and other taluks.
According to Narayana Reddy, Senior Geologist of the Mines and Geology Department, his department booked 270 cases during April and collected fines amounting to Rs. 13.81 lakhs from those who have violated the ban order. The police booked 324 cases during April and collected fines amounting to Rs. 16.89 lakhs. Several vehicles used to transport sand have been seized. Though Gowribidanur was the "hub" of sand mining, contractors have shifted their base to Kolar, Mulbagal and other taluks in the district.
In Kolar, sand is being lifted along the Kodikannur Tank on the outskirts of the city. Contractors are lifting sand at Byrakur, K. Bayyapalli and Devarayasamudra villages in Mulbagal taluk. Because of the ban, the price of sand has gone up steeply, according to sources here.
