Daijiworld Media Network – Puttur

Puttur, Jul 4: The construction sector in Dakshina Kannada (DK) district is bracing for a major slowdown as legal sand mining has come to a halt in several areas due to expired tenders and ongoing monsoon restrictions.

Industry experts warn that the prolonged sand crisis could deal a severe blow to the district's economy.

At present, only 16 non-CRZ (Coastal Regulation Zone) sand blocks are operational, while tenders for 12 blocks expired in June. Officials estimate it may take at least four to five months for the fresh tender process to be completed, raising fears of a prolonged sand shortage.

The sand mining process involves identifying blocks in rivers and streams, followed by approval from multiple departments and a formal tendering process.

According to officials, the new tender process has started in Sullia, Puttur, Beltangady, and Kadaba taluks, with joint inspection reports already submitted. After block finalization, tender notification, approval by the state committee, and signing of contracts, sand extraction can resume — a process that may take several months.

The 16 active blocks currently permitted are insufficient to meet construction demand. As a result, there's growing concern that unauthorized sand mining may increase, inflating prices and hurting legal supply chains.

Dinesh Medu, president of the Dakshina Kannada Sand Union, stressed the need to identify over 50 new sand blocks in the district, given the abundant sand reserves.

“Legalizing more blocks will not only ease the shortage but also generate significant revenue for the government and prevent illegal mining,” he said.

Assistant commissioner Stella Vargese confirmed that the identification of new blocks in Sampaje has been ordered, with joint departmental surveys underway.

The sand crisis, compounded by a slowdown in red laterite stone quarrying, threatens to hit the district’s entire economic chain — from contractors and daily-wage labourers to truck operators and material suppliers.

“If the sand and stone industries collapse, construction halts, affecting thousands of workers. Indirectly, even hotels, shops, and cement sales take a hit,” said industry stakeholders.

Sand blocks are categorized into grades 1 to 3, with village panchayats managing small blocks yielding up to 200 truckloads, and higher-grade blocks overseen by taluk and district-level committees.

Officials are being urged to fast-track block identification and tender processes to prevent long-term economic damage.