Sand collection ban enforced at semi-mechanised reaches, 19 cases booked in E.G.

Locals collect sand from the Krishna river. | Photo Credit: Representative image

East Godavari District Collector P. Prasanthi announced on Wednesday that 19 cases have been registered against individuals for violating the ongoing ban on sand collection and transportation from the semi-mechanised sand reaches along the Godavari River.  

The ban, effective from June 1, was imposed in compliance with the National Green Tribunal directive to halt sand mining during the monsoon season to protect the river ecosystem. 

At a district-level meeting with stakeholders on Wednesday, Ms. Prasanthi instructed the vigilance team led by the Superintendent of Police to intensify surveillance related to illegal sand collection and seize any machinery involved in the operations. She further directed the vigilance team to transport the seized sand to the designated sand stock points for use in housing projects. Currently, the district has a stockpile of approximately nine lakh metric tonnes of sand to meet various needs.

Published - June 04, 2025 08:52 pm IST