New sand reaches in north Andhra Pradesh may ease scarcity in Andhra Pradesh

Visakhapatnam: In response to the ongoing sand scarcity in the state, 15 sand reaches will be created in north coastal Andhra Pradesh, comprising Srikakulam , Vizianagaram , Visakhapatnam and East Godavari districts. The project is expected to be completed by next month.

While the department of mines and geology has already identified seven new sand reaches in Srikakulam district, efforts are under way in East Godavari district where surveys are being carried out to locate eight new sand reaches along the Godavari river, downstream of the Sir Arthur Cotton Barrage at Dowleswaram.

Officials expect the new sand reaches to boost supply in the region by nearly 50 per cent by next summer. At present, the region has a sand capacity of around 30 lakh tonne, which is likely to go up to 45 lakh tonne.

Vizag city is the major market for the sand mined from the reaches in the region. Assistant director of mines, Visakhapatnam, R Tammi Naidu, said, “Nearly 1.5 lakh tonne of sand is required for Visakhapatnam city per month. Nearly 50 per cent of sand from East Godavari and nearly 75 per cent of sand from Srikakulam meet the city’s demand.”

Speaking to TOI, assistant director of mines, Srikakulam, SKV Satyanarayana, said that seven sand reaches were identified in the district, in addition to the existing 18 sand reaches. Environmental clearance to commence mining is awaited for four reaches in four sand reaches at Karajada, Nimmada and Matala areas, while paperwork is yet to begin on the remain three.

Assistant director of mines, East Godavari, KLV Prasad, said, “We have a total of 23 sand reaches in the district. We are presently conducting a survey to create new sand reaches. It will be a continuous process.”

As no major river passes through Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam districts, officials of the mines department depend on ‘third order streams’ that include ponds and canals to meet the local demand for sand, said SV Ramana Rao, assistant director of mines, Vizianagaram.

Supply of sand from the stocking points began on November 11, said Ramana Rao. He added, “No person shall hoard, resale, black market or stock sand beyond his or her reasonable requirements. Penalties for violations include a fine of Rs 2 lakh and imprisonment up to two years,” referring to the government instruction against hoarding and black marketing of sand in the state.