DC: Accumulated sand from Thumbe dam to be lifted

Deputy Commissioner Sasikanth Senthil said measures will be taken to remove sand accumulated at Thumbe vented dam.

He told media persons that sand has been accumulating in the dam since many years. The district administration has written to Central government seeking permission to carry out desiltation. The Centre has given consent and has declared that no permission was required for such a work. Accordingly, the authorities will initiate measures to remove the sand, he added.

The sand dredged at Thumbe vented dam will cater to the needs of Mangaluru city.

He said the bathymetry survey of riverbeds in CRZ areas to assess the quantum of excess sand has been completed. The NITK experts have been asked to carry out a survey on the sand blocks that can be extracted to facilitate the smooth movement of fishing boats, he said.

“The extraction of sand in non-CRZ areas is the only solution for the problem of shortage of sand in district. Already 22 blocks have been identified, of which nine blocks were reserved for government works. As only two bidders have been selected, the district administration will float bids again for sand extraction in non-CRZ areas. In non-CRZ areas, the bidders can extract sand for seven months and store it in stockyard nearby to be sold in the district,” he said.

Old Mangalore Port Department will take up dredging near Bengre side in Mangaluru to facilitate easy movement of boats.

Normally, they dredge and dispose of the sand in deep sea. The district administration will now use the dredged sand for construction activities in the district, he explained.

The district administration has utilised 80% of sand seized, during illegal transportation or storage, for different government works. The stockyard presently has 300 loads of seized sand, he said and added that imported sand is also available in the district.

Warning to truck owners

The deputy commissioner said that all trucks used for illegal transportation of sand will not be released unless the owner pays two times the bank guarantee. “Once the trucks are seized, it will not be released easily,’’ he stressed.

Closure of Kuloor bridge

The DC said that old Kuloor bridge on NH 66 will be closed for traffic shortly.

“Once the NHAI comes out with traffic diversion plan, the old bridge will be closed and two-way traffic will be allowed on the new existing bridge. The construction of a new bridge will be taken up between the old and new bridge,” he said.

The NHAI, in its report, has declared that the old Kuloor bridge is not safe and should be closed for traffic.