Govt to soon permits and mining in rivers

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Saturday said the government would soon allow sand mining in the rivers around the
state.

“However, it would be allowed in the traditional way, and no suction pumps would be allowed for extraction of sand from the rivers,” he added.

Earlier, Aam Aadmi Party MLA Cruz Silva brought to the notice of the state legislative assembly during the Question Hour that the general public is facing serious shortage of sand for construction of houses.

“The process of issuing permits for sand extraction from Goan rivers is under progress and as soon as the process is completed the permission will be granted,” the Chief Minister said, adding that “the sand imported from the neighbouring states of Maharashtra and Karnataka is being regulated”.

“It is being regulated in terms of Rule 47 of the Goa Minor Mineral Concession Rule, 1985 upon verification of documents,” he said.

Sawant also informed that the government charges Rs 600 per trip towards such sand carrying trucks, each truck carrying 8 metric tonne of sand.

Sawant, who holds the mining and geology portfolio, said the High Court had stopped sand mining in the state, following environmental damage to the rivers by way of suction pump extraction.

“The government had then asked the National Institute of Oceanography to carry out a related study of the Chapora, Mandovi, and Zuari rivers,” he informed, stating that based on this study report the government has proposed to restart sand mining by issuing licences.

The Chief Minister also stated that dredging of rivers would provide sand on large quantity, which could then be sold to the people.