18 boats were seized during illegal sand mining in Godavari river

The boats seized during raids at the Road-cum-Rail bridge in Rajamahendravaram on Monday. | Photo Credit: Special Editing

RAJAMAHENDRAVARM

The Andhra Pradesh Water Department seized 18 boats on December 9 (Monday) when laborers allegedly hired by boat owners were digging sand near four bridges crossing the Godavari river between Rajamahendravaram town and Kovvur town in East Godavari district.

In Rajamahendravaram, sand mining is done manually by migrants employed by local boat owners.

Officials swung into action after a threat to the stability of four bridges—Road-cum-Railway Bridge, Havelock Bridge, Railway Bridge and Gammon Bridge—all of which connect Rajamahendravaram to Kovvur town.

These boats were seized during the raid by East Godavari Joint Collector S. Chinna Ramudu. Officials of Dowleswaram Irrigation Circle, Mines and Geology Department were part of the raiding team.

The officials seized eight boats at Dhobhi ghat and ten more at Elinamma ghat in front of Kovvur while the workers were engaged in illegal sand mining adjacent to the bridges.

“We have detained 18 boats to ensure that there will be no danger to these four bridges. The collection and mining of sand between the Gammon and Road-cum-rail bridges is not allowed to save the four bridges,” said Mr. Chinna Ramudu.

Officials suggested registering criminal cases against the boatmen. Assistant Director of the Ministry of Mines and Land D. Fanibhushan Reddy and Divisional Engineer K. Anand Babu are investigating the details of boat owners and licenses issued for collecting sand from the river.