A team led by District Collector K. Madhavilatha took decisive action on Sunday by seizing machinery and tippers for violating sand collection guidelines along the Godavari riverbed in East Godavari district. The raid, which lasted four hours, targeted ongoing activities at permitted sand reaches in the mandals of Kadiyam, Peravali, Nidadavole, Tallapudi, and Kovvuru.
The crackdown followed a Supreme Court directive on the proper methods for sand excavation, transportation, and machinery deployment along the riverbed. Officials from the Mines and Geology Department, led by Assistant Director M. Subramanyam, reported multiple violations during the operation.
“In Peravali Mandal alone, five proclainers and four lorries have been seized for violations,” said M. Subramanyam in a statement to The Hindu.
District Collector K. Madhavilatha emphasized the severity of the violations, stating, “We have noticed deployment of machinery including earthmovers and tippers, which have been seized during the inspection of the reaches on Sunday. A detailed report will be submitted to the State government.”
The seizure of machinery underscores the district administration’s commitment to enforcing environmental regulations and protecting natural resources in accordance with legal mandates.
