21 vehicles seized from illegal sand quarry in K’pada | Bhubaneswar News
Kendrapada: Authorities seized 19 trucks and two excavators from an unauthorised sand quarry on the Chitrotola riverbed in Kendrapada district’s Bichana village on Saturday night.
“With the help of police, we conducted raids along the river and seized the vehicles for illegally lifting sand from the riverbed,” said Arun Nayak, Kendrapada sub-collector. “Truck and tractor drivers were illegally transporting sand without obtaining any transit passes from the authorities. We will collect fines from them under the law,” he added.
“All drivers of the seized vehicles fled from the spot. We are examining the documents of the seized vehicles,” said Diptirekha Rout, an officer of Patkura police station.
“It is difficult to use the village road as it is riddled with potholes due to many vehicles carrying sand from the river. Two years back, the road was repaired. But now it is in a bad state,” said Sahavev Swain of Bichana.
Locals alleged that with rising demand for sand, illegal quarrying has increased, driven by contractors and local mafias. To meet the huge demand, the contractors have been using machines to lift sand from the riverbed illegally.
Residents also raised concerns about trucks spilling sand onto roads, causing air pollution and accidents involving motorcyclists and pedestrians. Villagers demanded stricter enforcement against illegal mining.
“With the help of police, we conducted raids along the river and seized the vehicles for illegally lifting sand from the riverbed,” said Arun Nayak, Kendrapada sub-collector. “Truck and tractor drivers were illegally transporting sand without obtaining any transit passes from the authorities. We will collect fines from them under the law,” he added.
“All drivers of the seized vehicles fled from the spot. We are examining the documents of the seized vehicles,” said Diptirekha Rout, an officer of Patkura police station.
“It is difficult to use the village road as it is riddled with potholes due to many vehicles carrying sand from the river. Two years back, the road was repaired. But now it is in a bad state,” said Sahavev Swain of Bichana.
Locals alleged that with rising demand for sand, illegal quarrying has increased, driven by contractors and local mafias. To meet the huge demand, the contractors have been using machines to lift sand from the riverbed illegally.
Residents also raised concerns about trucks spilling sand onto roads, causing air pollution and accidents involving motorcyclists and pedestrians. Villagers demanded stricter enforcement against illegal mining.
