The Hindu : Karnataka News : More areas to be auctioned for sand mining

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jan 04, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka

More areas to be auctioned for sand mining

Shankar Bennur

MYSORE: The booming construction industry in Bangalore and Mysore has prompted Department of Mines and Geology to allow sand mining in additional areas on the banks of Rivers Cauvery and Kapila in Mysore district.

Because of the huge demand for sand, especially for the construction of malls, apartments and multiplexes under progress in the cities, 30 more places on the banks of the two rivers in T Narsipur and Nanjangud taluks will be auctioned for sand mining soon. The auction of the areas is expected to be completed by January end. It will fetch around Rs. 5 crore to the Government as royalty, according to official sources.

The ban on sand mining in neighbouring Mandya district stepped up mining activity not just in T Narsipur and Nanjangud taluks, but also in Periyapatna and Hunsur taluks of the district. Already, 45 places in the district have been auctioned for sand mining. The auctions have brought in Rs. 9 crore as royalty to the Government.

Geologist Dr. Shankar told The Hindu that a notification on opening up 30 more areas for mining, mostly in T Narsipur and Nanjangud taluks, would be issued in a fortnight. Interested persons can bid and bag contracts at the auction.

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