Bhupalpalli | Dec 06, 2016: An estimated 4.18 crore cubic metres of sand is available in the area to be submerged under proposed Medigadda barrage on river Godavari in Mahadevpur mandal in the district, informed District Collector A Murali.

The estimation was prepared by a joint team of officials of mines and geology, and irrigation departments and a report was submitted to the Collector. Similarly 1.26 crore cubic metres of sand is available in the areas that come under the proposed Annaram barrage, the report said.

During a recent meeting of the district level sand committee chaired by Collector Murali, it was decided to give permission to Telangana State Mineral Development Corporation (TSMDC) to mine the sand in the above areas.

It might be noted that the State government had recently decided to mine sand from the areas that would be submerged following the construction of irrigation barrages in the State to meet the demand for sand. The committee has resolved to grant permission to irrigation department to excavate 10.35 lakh cubic metres of sand for the construction of Medigadda barrage and five lakh cubic metres of sand for the construction of pump house at Kannepally.

The decision is taken as per the GO 54, issued by Industries and Commerce department on dated September 26, 2016. The irrigation officials have estimated that 30 lakh cubic metres of sand is required for the construction of Annaram barrage and lift irrigation works.

The committee has suggested that the sand lifting contracts should be given to the societies of tribals living in the area.

The TSMDC should strengthen and maintain the village roads wherever the roads are used by the corporation and should not allow overloading of vehicles.

Murali informed that they have accorded permission to de-cast sand in patta lands of 26 land owners in Venkatapuram and Wazeedu mandals, which are merged with Jayashanker Bhupalpalli district from Khammam following the reorganisation of the districts.

(Source: http://www.thehansindia.com/)