‘Monsoon holiday’ for sand collection begins June 1 along Godavari river

The annual ban on sand excavation and collection will come into force along the banks of the Godavari river from June 1 as part of the “monsoon holiday” as prescribed by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). 

“The sand excavation and collection will be banned on semi-mechanized reaches and patta lands from June 1 as part of the ‘monsoon holiday’ for the sand collection. The ban will continue till October 15,” Mines and Geology Deputy Director D. Phanibhushan Reddy stated in a release.

Meanwhile, the East Godavari district authorities have stored 14.57 lakh metric tonnes of Godavari sand for supply in the 43 reaches located including in Kovvuru, Peravali, Nidadavolu, Sithanagaram, Rajamahendravaram and Tallapudi in the East Godavari district. 

The Departments of Mines and Geology, Revenue, Water Resource Department and Police will keep vigil on the illegal sand collection and transportation from June 1.