Laboratory analysis of sand samples collected from privately-owned agricultural land, also known as patta land, adjacent to river Kapila in Nanjangud near here has shown that the sand is suitable for construction activity.
Senior geologist Lingaraju told The Hindu that samples collected sand deposits in patta land in Himmavu and Toremavu villages in Nanjangud taluk were subjected to tests at the quality control facility of the Public Works Department (PWD) in Mysuru as well as the laboratory of the Mines and Geology Department, Bengaluru. “The tests have shown that the quality of sand is good and suitable for construction activity,” he stated.
The construction industry is awaiting the government’s nod to the distract administration’s proposal to permit extraction of sand from patta land. There has been a severe scarcity of sand since the Supreme Court ban on extraction of sand from the riverbed.
The State government banned the extraction of sand from patta land in 2011, in the light of widespread violations. The area for extracting sand had been extended even to the river bed, and there were complaints that the sand extracted from some patta lands was not suitable for construction.
Structural Engineer and Principal of SJCE Syed Shakeeb Ur Rahman, however, told The Hindu that the quality of sand may differ from region to region. He emphasised the need for a proper certification system in place for quality sand to be used for construction purposes.
Deputy Commissioner C. Shikha, who convened a meeting of officials of Police, PWD, and Mines and Geology Department in the city on Tuesday, indicated that the proposal submitted for extracting sand from patta land would “most likely” receive the government’s nod.
The proposal submitted to the government pertains to extraction of sand from 40 acres of patta land in two villages of Nanjangud.
Once the government issues permission, the guidelines and modalities for extracting sand from the patta land will have to be framed.
Shabbir Mustafa, president of Mysuru District Maralu Horatagara Samiti, said the samiti, which went on a padayatra to Bengaluru, had withdrawn its agitation after Public Works Minister H.C. Mahadevappa assured them that the government was processing the proposal to extract sand from patta land and would issue an order soon. “If permission does not come by the first week of April, we will resume our agitation,” he said.
