In a major crackdown on illegal transportation of sand, Deputy Commissioner C. Shikha, who was on her routine inspection rounds this morning, seized 35 lorries transporting sand illegally near the check-post on T.Narasipur road and distributed the seized sand to beneficiaries on-the-spot.

It is reported that at the time of the seizure of these lorries, there were about 50 buyers waiting at the check-post to buy sand. Shikha, who understood the plight of sand buyers, issued tokens to them and distributed the seized sand on-the-spot.

Some people were heard asking whether the DC will be taking such measures on a daily basis in the interests of genuine sand buyers.

It is learnt that lorry owners, who used to buy sand from PWD after paying Rs. 4500 in the form of a DD, used to dump the sand at a designated place and sell the same to gullible customers at exorbitant rates, sometimes ranging from Rs. 16,000 to Rs. 20,000 per load.

A large number of Police personnel attached to Nazarbad Police Station had been posted at points around the check-post to ensure that no lorry carrying illegal sand escapes by taking deviation.

Interestingly, the posting of Police personnel from Nazarbad Station around the check-post and at Lalitha Mahal Helipad on the occasion of third Ashada Friday had resulted in acute shortage of staff at the Police Station. Asst. Commissioner Basavaraju, officials from Mines and Geology Department, Inspector C.T. Jayakumar and staff took part in the operation.

Courtesy : Star Of Mysore