Sand And Soil Looting Continues In Amaravati

pulous elements, mostly linked to the YSRCP, illegally excavated sand, gravel and soil from the capital region and made huge profits.

There were also reports of unidentified persons stealing large pipes and cables meant for underground drainage and electricity works. These materials had reportedly been left along roadsides after construction activity was stopped.

Ironically, even after the full-scale resumption of capital construction under the present Telugu Desam Party-led coalition government headed by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, reports have emerged of the indiscriminate removal of sand and soil excavated during development works.

According to reports, the excavated sand and soil are being diverted and sold in the open market instead of being used for capital construction projects.

Local farmers and observers allege that large quantities of material meant for use within the capital region are being transported outside Amaravati, causing the loss of public assets worth crores of rupees.

They claim that officials have turned a blind eye to the activity, allowing private individuals to profit from public resources.

What is more concerning is that the Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority is reportedly preparing proposals to undertake land-filling and levelling works in newly developed layouts within the capital region at a cost of more than Rs 1,500 crore.

Local farmers point out that the number of sand-laden trucks operating from the Krishna River appears disproportionate to the pace of construction work in Amaravati.

Sources said the quantity of sand extracted so far could have supported a substantial portion of the capital works. While construction is progressing slowly, the transportation of sand and soil reportedly continues without interruption.

The Seed Access Road near Venkatapalem was built at an elevation of nearly 10 feet, while areas around the Secretariat at Velagapudi were raised by about six feet. Similar elevation works are required across large parts of the capital region.

However, soil excavated during road construction and reservoir development is allegedly being sold instead of being preserved for future capital works.

Officials responsible for ensuring that the sand and soil remain within the capital region have reportedly failed to enforce restrictions.

Sources said around 300 to 400 truckloads of soil are being transported towards Tadepalli every day.

Excavation of a proposed reservoir spread over 199 acres to a depth of 10 feet could generate between 1,800 and 2,000 truckloads of soil per acre.

Along with soil excavated from road projects, the authorities had initially planned to dump and use this material at different locations across the capital region.

As roads are being constructed at elevated levels, future residential and commercial layouts will require large quantities of filling material.

“If the available resources are exhausted, the government may eventually be forced to purchase soil or gravel from the open market at a considerable cost,” sources said.