- Sand selling sans tax allegedly to be around Rs 1500 crore worth?
- People want of official intervention on the illegal sand issue
The issue of illegal sand mining along the Godavari River in the Bhadradri-Kothagudem district of Telangana appears to be a major concern, with reports suggesting its operation is rampant and causing significant revenue loss to the state. The high quality of sand from the Godavari, known for its purity, fine texture, and excellent workability, drives immense demand, particularly in the rapidly developing real estate and infrastructure sector of Hyderabad.
Key Incidents and Allegations
A recent incident at the Kudunur sand reach in Charla mandal highlighted the depth of the illegal operation. A dispute over a share of the profits for alleged malpractice in sand mining led to an altercation between a person claiming to be the personal assistant of the Bhadrachalam MLA and the person managing the sand reach. This public incident has been cited as clear evidence of illegal mining activity in a district that reportedly has about 30 sand reaches along the river.
Economic Impact and Government Revenue Loss
The scale of the illegal trade is suggested by the massive, daily transport of hundreds of lorries of sand to Hyderabad. The market price for a cubic meter of sand reportedly ranges from Rs 1,800 to Rs 2,000. Data from the Telangana State Mineral Development Corporation (TGMDC) shows the official sand consumption for 2024–25 (up to March 10) was 167.55 lakh metric tons, generating Rs 685.45 crore as seigniorage revenue.
Alleged Revenue Loss
However, other reports suggest the real sand consumption in the state is three times than the official record. Based on this discrepancy, it’s alleged that the government may have lost around Rs 1,500 crore due to illegal mining and under-reporting during the period, as those operating the sand reaches allegedly pay seigniorage for only one-third of the actual sand excavated. The official seigniorage fee is Rs 94 per metric tonne.
Public and Political Concerns
The management of the official sand reaches has been given to societies reportedly controlled by “powerful sections,” suggesting a nexus in the operation. People have expressed surprise and disappointment at the perceived ‘non-serious attitude’ and lack of intervention from the three ministers hailing from the adjacent Khammam district Home Minister Bhatti Vikramarka, Revenue Minister P Srinivasa Reddy, and Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao.
The heavy transportation associated with this massive sand trade has also reportedly caused “significant damage to local roads”. There is a strong appeal from the public for official government intervention to check and curb the illegal sand mining from the Godavari River.
Complaint letter to Police by K Nagaraju
Principle Correspondent, Prime Post
Adapa Dora, journalist cum farmer, proved his excellence in both the fields. While working in Andhra Bhoomi (Telugu Paper) and Deccan Chronicle, he forced a famous seed company to pay compensation to the maize farmers for crop loss due to the supply of spurious seeds to them. He wished to maintain harmony between tribals and non-tribals in the mandals of Bhadradri-Kothagudem district for the prosperous of both groups.
