Karnataka - Bangalore   

Construction industry may come to a halt

BANGALORE: The construction industry is likely to be hit after Monday with truckers transporting sand, stone and other building material proposing to go on strike against “harassment” by various government departments.

Truckers associated with the Federation of Karnataka Lorry Owners’ Associations led by B. Channa Reddy stopped transporting sand to Bangalore from Thursday. Meanwhile the Federation of Karnataka State Lorry Owners’ and Agents’ Association led by G.R. Shanmugappa will meet Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Monday and decide the future course of action after the meeting.

Mr. Shanmugappa told The Hindu that 22,000 trucks transporting sand, 16,000 trucks transporting stone and 1,500 ready-mix concrete transporting vehicles would be off the road after Monday if the Government did not auction the identi fied sand mining areas. According to him, of the 742 locations identified by the Mines and Geology Department, only 38 had been auctioned.

The demands of the federation led by him had been conveyed to the Chief Minister.The S.M. Krishna Government had issued permits for sand transportation, and transporters used to pay Rs. 50 lakh a month to the Government.

“However, this continued only for two months because of the nexus between politicians and bureaucrats,” Mr. Shanmugappa alleged. He said that land close to rivers where sand was available in plenty could be offered on lease. While Bangalore needed 3,000 truckloads of sand a day, the requirement of the State was 7,000 truckloads, he added.

However, the Mines and Geology Department disputed the truckers’ claim. A senior official said that locations having sufficient sand had been auctioned. The department was playing the role of a nodal agency.

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