‘Sand mining going on unabated in Krishna river’

Sand mining is going on unabated in Krishna river very close to the capital region, which might create a huge problem for Amaravati, environmental activist Bolisetty Satyanarayana said here on Wednesday.

Speaking on behalf of Jai Jan Jodo Abhiyan, an NGO floated by ‘waterman of India’ Dr. Rajendra Singh, here on Wednesday, he alleged “within a span of two weeks the 14-acre Venkatayyapalem island on the river that belongs to the dalits was swallowed by the sand miners.” He alleged that the mining was being done by the Singapore-based start-up that has been given the contract to build the capital city. The CRDA region is about 17 to 21 metres below sea level and it has to be raised to 25 mts and all the sand is being pumped to raise the area, he said.

He said a documentary film and a letter highlighting the sand mining have been handed over at the Prime Minister’s office in New Delhi.

He demanded an impartial inquiry into sand mining in Amaravati.