MANGALURU | March 17, 2016: District administration relaxes norms to attract more bidders to take part in the sand mining in the district.

There are several conditions that need to be met by the bidders while bidding for sand mining blocks in the district. One of the conditions is that bidders should be the owners of 50% of the vehicles and equipment required for the sand mining. However, as per the revised norms, bidders may come forward to participate in the tender process with vehicles and equipment obtained on lease. Another condition with regard to the installation of GPS equipment in sand transportation trucks has been relaxed to attract more bidders. Similarly, another condition that prevents contractors from transporting sand in trucks registered before 2009 also has been relaxed.

Deputy commissioner A B Ibrahim said that conditions have been relaxed to attract more bidders and also to solve the sand shortage crisis in the district. The department of mines and geology has identified 38 sand mining blocks in Non-CRZs (coastal regulation zone), but tenders have been invited only 23 blocks on the banks of Gurupur River, Nethravathi River and Kumaradhara River. Contracts for four sand blocks - two in Sajipapadu and one each in Barimaru and Sajipa Munnuru, have already been given. Contractors are allowed to collect sand from allotted sand blocks, dump the same in respective storage yards and later load it to the trucks. The process of selling will be made transparent and only those with proper documents like building license will be given sand. Sale of sand will be only through Public Works Department. Priority will be given to those individual families that construct houses in the district. Payment for contractors will be made once in 15 days, the DC said adding that the rate of sand per tipper truck will be around Rs 3,750 excluding transportation.

Mangaluru City Corporation and Dakshina Kannada zilla panchayat have been allotted one sand mining block to take up construction works in their jurisdictions. Meanwhile, decision to allow sand mining in 19 sand blocks of CRZs in the district will be taken only after obtaining nod from the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest, he said.

(Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/)