Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (TP)
Udupi, Oct 19: Construction materials such as M-sand, jelly stones and other essential building materials are being illegally transported from the district to other states, creating an artificial shortage and driving up prices. The district administration must take immediate and stringent action to stop such transportation. Otherwise, a massive protest will be launched in association with lorry and tempo owners, drivers and various organizations, warned Raghavendra Shetty, secretary of the Building Materials Transport Lorry and Tempo Owners’ Association.
Speaking at a press conference held at Udupi press club on October 19, Ragavendra Shetty said that as sand is not available to the common people at affordable prices in the district, M-sand and jelly stones are being increasingly used for construction. Taking advantage of this situation, some mining contractors are arbitrarily increasing the prices of M-sand, jelly stones, rock stones, laterite stones and other construction materials four to five times a year, he alleged.
Ragavendra Shetty further alleged that lorry and tempo owners and drivers transporting construction materials were facing threats, verbal abuse, refusal to issue transportation permits and demands for additional payments to obtain permits. Construction materials are also being supplied illegally to vehicles without GPS devices. Despite allegations of illegal mining beyond the areas allotted for mining leases, the District Mines and Geology Department has remained silent, he charged.
Although the district has a high demand for M-sand and jelly stones, materials produced at certain crusher units are being transported to other states every day in heavy vehicles. This has created an artificial shortage in the local market, leading to an increase in construction material prices.
As a result, lorry and tempo owners and drivers who depend on this industry for their livelihood are finding it difficult to sustain themselves. Ordinary people are also being forced to pay exorbitant prices to build their homes, he said.
Expressing concern over the depletion of natural resources, Ragavendra Shetty warned that if the district's mineral resources continue to be transported to other states in this manner, they could be exhausted within the next one or two years. This could eventually force the district to depend on other states or countries for construction materials, he cautioned.
Ragavendra Shetty urged the district administration to intervene immediately and conduct a comprehensive investigation into the transportation of M-sand, jelly stones and other construction materials to other states. Measures must be taken to curb illegal transportation and mining and ensure that construction materials are available to the people of the district at affordable prices, he demanded.
If their demands are not met, the association will be compelled to unite lorry and tempo owners, drivers, concerned organisations and the general public to launch a massive protest, he warned.
Katapady region president Harish Shetty, Udupi region president Ramesh Shetty, treasure Naveen Palan and Udupi district member Abul Razak, were present at the press conference.