Berhampur: Ganjam district BJP unit on Saturday staged protest in front of Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC) Southern Division against illegal sand lifting to other country from Gopalpur Port.
They alleged that a ship carries about 50 thousand tonnes sand lifted from different rivers flows in Ganjam and Gajapati district at Gopalpur port. This apart sand is lifted illegally from the beds of Rusikulya, Dhanei, Bahuda, Ghoda Hada and Harabhangi rivers of the districts as the local administration is not taking any legal action against the lifters.
BJP Ganjam district Legal Cell Convenor Ram Patro said, around 80 trucks loaded with sand are lifted from local rivers bed every day and it has been going on from morning to evening for the last three days.
“We strongly protested against illegal sand lifting from the river bed. But the lifters did not listen to us. We came to know that those sand are export to Bangladesh through ship namely “Hai Phong 25”, he said.
“Due to sand lifting holes takes shape which causes erosion during the rainy season,” he said, adding that we have inform several times to the local administration, requesting them to take legal action against the lifters. But in vain,” he informed.
The protestors demanded stern action against illegal sand lifting soon and urged the district administration to be active against such malpractice.
Social activist Saswati Subhra Das said due to sand the rivers banks are being cut, which can cause erosion, flood and also change the course of the river. She alleged that the local government officials are hand in glove with the sand mafias to carry out the illegal activity.
