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Udupi : The extraction of sand from the sand bars in the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) areas pf Udupi district will start from two days, said Jagadeesha, Deputy Commissioner of Udupi district.

Addressing a press conference at Udupi Municipal Council Hall here on Thursday, September 26, DC said that eight sand bars are identified for the sand extraction and 159 permit holders have been allowed to extraction of sand.

Meanwhile he said that about 700 trucks have installed GPS equipment to transport sand. Trucks not having GPS equipment will be fined Rs 50,000 for the first time and Rs one lakh for the second time and for the third time offence, the permits would be cancelled.

DC said that no one will be allowed to transport sand out of the district nor store it illegally at their places. The intention is that the sand purchased should be used and not stored and further sold. As per the rough estimate, the district requires 2.5 lakh metric tonnes of sand annually. But at present, the district has about eight lakh metric tonnes of sand in the CRZ areas. Meanwhile there is sand also available in CRZ areas.

Tenders also will be floated for removal of in the non-CRZ areas. The silt in the check dams also could be removed. DC said that presently permission to remove the sand for permit holders for three months only.

To a query, DC said regarding opposition by the people at Padur to the survey work for the second phase work for the crude oil storage unit at Padur in the district, he said the Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Ltd in the district has started the survey without informing the district administration.

He said those who opposed it did so for seeking better compensation. The district administration will take the people into confidence. The company also been told to pay compensation for those whose houses were damaged during the blasting of the first phase work.

Anand Kollalikar, Udupi CMC commissioner also present during the press meet.