Write Comment     |     E-Mail To a Friend     |     Facebook     |     Twitter     |     Print

MANGALORE: Dakshina Kannada district administration is contemplating on making global positioning system (GPS) equipment compulsory for all trucks that carry sand in the district again.

The decision came in the wake of shortage of sand for construction, especially for those who build small houses, in the district. Deputy Commissioner AB Ibrahim will soon convene a meeting of officials and sand contractors to finalise the proposal. Though the GPS mandate for trucks was implemented few years ago by the previous DC, it has not been implemented successfully in the district. The district administration has found that sand is being transported illegally to Kerala.

The DC said that sand consignments from Dakshina Kannada are being transported to Kerala using fake bills of Maharashtra. "We have found dealers transporting sand to Kerala using fake bills. There are no curbs on transporting sand within the state. However, the district administration will not allow transportation of sand to other states when there is acute shortage here. A meeting will be convened to discuss on making GPS mandatory in all trucks that transport sand in the district," he said.

In July, 2010, the then deputy commissioner V Ponnuraj had directed all trucks transporting sand to install GPS compulsorily so that the district administration can keep a tab on the movement of trucks and thereby check illegal transportation. Though initially there were objections from the sand transporters and contractors, the directions regarding GPS were made. The DC also had suggested painting a part of the front part of such trucks in a specific colour, issue trip sheets through RTO and police. However, the move could be implemented successfully.

CREDAI Dakshina Kannada district unit and other organizations have requested the district administration to take the issues of artificial sand shortage crisis and increase in the price seriously. Following this, the district administration has fixed a uniform rate for sand in the district on July 24. Accordingly, the rate of each truck-load of coarse sand with two units (100 cft) will be Rs 3,000 within 10 kms of its storage point. The price of each truck-load of fine sand with two units will be Rs 3,500 within 10 kms of its storage point. Buyers will have to shell out Rs 500 extra for each additional 5 kms.