After a respite, sand mafia raises head again in Andhra Pradesh

Visakhapatnam: The Andhra Pradesh Government’s free sand policy is seems to be failing in front of the sand mafia, and the purpose is being defeated, according to CREDAI Visakhapatnam chapter chairman GVVS Narayana.

The government needs to take prompt action to curb the activities of sand mafia, as it has started hampering construction work in the State, which is also affecting the government housing programmes, including the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, he told reporters here on Thursday.

“After the announcement of policy of free sand supply, the cost of the sand per truck load, come down to Rs. 12,000 (loading, unloading and transport charges), which was Rs. 35,000 periviosly. But the sand mafia has again came in action and the costs have gone up to around Rs. 25,000 per truck load,” he added.

“The transportation of sand between Srikakulam and Visakhapatnam has become difficult, despite of the policy. Srikakulam police has seized around 150 trucks in last few weeks and the penalties were charged. On the other hand transportation is smooth in Rajahmundry,” Mr. Narayana and Mr. Koteswara Rao pointed out.

The officers have appealed the government for the effective implementation of the policy, as it is affecting the infrastructural development of Visakhapatnam.

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