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Between April 2024 and the end of January 2025, authorities detected 173 cases of illegal sand extraction in Dakshina Kannada district and 103 cases in Udupi district. In response, officials seized numerous vehicles, boats, and machinery involved in the illicit activity. Fines totalling INR 54 lakh and INR 19.6 lakh were imposed in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi, respectively. Mines and Geology Minister SS Mallikarjun stated that measures have been taken to curb illegal activities, including auctioning sand blocks and approving legal sand leases, while M-Sand units continue to meet construction demands.
A total of 173 instances of illegal sand extraction were identified in Dakshina Kannada district from April 2024 up to the end of January this year. In these cases, officials confiscated 107 trucks, 91 boats, six motor machines, one dredging machine, and 13 gas cylinders used in the unlawful operations. As many as 82 cases are still pending before the courts. Authorities have reportedly collected penalties amounting to INR 54 lakh in connection with these offences. Advertisement
Meanwhile, Udupi district recorded 103 cases of illegal sand mining during the same period. Officials seized 90 vehicles and six boats, imposing fines that amounted to INR 19.6 lakh.
This information was shared by Mines and Geology Minister SS Mallikarjun in response to a query raised by MLC Ivan D'Souza during the recent legislature session. The minister stated that 59 cases of illegal sand extraction in Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) areas were registered during 2024-25, with fines totalling INR 14.7 lakh. In comparison, 108 such cases were registered in 2023-24, with penalties collected amounting to INR 42.9 lakh.
In non-CRZ areas, the minister informed that 18 sand leases had been approved through a tender-cum-auction process, in addition to five sand leases allocated for government projects. Furthermore, four sand blocks were designated for the Public Works Department (PWD) and one block for the Minor Irrigation Department. Sand extraction has started in two blocks under the PWD's purview, and supplies from one block are currently being directed towards various developmental projects. Extraction is yet to begin in the remaining two blocks, according to the minister.
Assuring that there is no scarcity of sand in the coastal districts, the minister noted that 16 units engaged in the production of Manufactured Sand (M-Sand) have been supplying building materials to ongoing construction works.
The department has also identified 11 sand blocks located outside the CRZ areas where illegal sand extraction has been occurring. Tenders have already been invited for auctioning sand from six of these blocks, while the district sand committee is expected to oversee the auction of the remaining blocks.
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