Sand mining resumes in Kaleshwaram

Mahadevpur (Bhupalpally district): WITH water level receding in the Medigadda (Lakshmi) barrage, the starting point of the multipurpose Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme (KLIS), the sand mining resumed in the Godavari river near Mahadevpur and its surrounding areas of Jayashanker Bhupalpally district in Telangana. The temple village of Kaleshwaram after which the mega irrigation project is named is 17 kilometers away from this mandal headquarters.

The Jayashanker Bhupalpally district, which shares its border with the Maharashtra State, is home to 23 sand reaches - the highest among all the Telangana districts - where sand quarrying takes place. Sand quarrying at most of these reaches resumed and dumping activity kicked off earlier this month.

Quarry contractors mine the sand using cranes and transport it to nearby dump yards from where customers lift the sand after purchasing it online from the TelanganaState Mineral Development Corporation (TSMDC).

"Several sand quarries fall under the submergence areas of the Medigadda barrage. With the water level receding in the barrage, the quarrying activity has resumed here," Ravi Kumar, Project Officer, Mulugu, TSMDC, told Bizz Buzz. On deputation to the Mahadevpur area, he oversees 14 sand quarries in Mahadevpur, Bommapur, Brahmanapally, Suraram, Begloor and Elikeshwaram villages. Villages like Palgula, Kuntlam are home to other reaches in the district. The sand quarrying is expected to reach full scale soon. "Mahadevpur-4 and 5 quarries started operations 15 days back, while Mahadevpur-1, 2, 3 quarries resumed operations a week ago. Brahmanapally and Bommapur quarries started a few days back," the Project Officer said.

However, transportation from dump yards is taking place at a few quarries only as it depends on the sales. At present, the corporation is releasing 50,000 to 60,000 cubic metres of sand daily from this area. Demand for fine sand which is used for plastering is very high and several quarries in this area produce fine sand. Sand from the Bhupalpally district is predominantly used for construction activities in Hyderabad, Warangal and a few other areas. However, Hyderabad is the main market. "All the sand is sold online," Ravi Kumar said.