AP Has Surplus Sand For the Next Three Years

TADEPALLI: Andhra Pradesh Government has succeeded in resolving the sand scarcity problem in the state, with the success of the Sand Week programme. The Sand Week was launched by the state government from the November 14 to November 21 under the ageis of AP Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy.As per the Government's statement  the State is now capable to meet the sand requirements of the state for the next three years.

As per the release , the State government is making a profit up to Rs 2 Crore per day by selling the sand. There is an availability of 2,82,224 tonnes of sand as on Thursday, November 21. Out of which 71,735 tonnes were booked. The AP state government has gained revenue of about Rs. 3 Crores 42 lakhs by sale of sand.

AP government has issued a GO as part of the new sand mining policy to put an end to the sand mining mafia. As part of the new Sand policy, the Government has decided to impose a fine of Rs 2 lakh on those indulging in illegal storage, sale / resale and transportation of sand and imprisonment for up to 2 years for committing the offence. To curb sand smuggling, illegal hoarding, and sale of sand at high prices, Andhra Pradesh government has launched a toll free number - 14500.

The state government has provided excess sand more than the daily sand requirement. The daily sand requirement is a maximum of 80 thousand tonnes in the state. Seventeen sand reaches were opened on the first day in the districts of Srikakulam, East & West Godavari, Guntur and YSR Districts. Sand excavation in East Godavari, Krishna, Guntur, Prakasam, Anantapur and YSS districts has been granted in 12 'Patta' lands. An additional 34 stock points have been set up across 13 districts.

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