Bhatkal: The construction industry in Bhatkal has been severely impacted due to a prolonged sand shortage that has persisted for the past six to seven months, bringing nearly ₹1,000 crore worth of construction projects to a standstill. Despite multiple appeals to district and taluk administrations, as well as repeated requests to the District Minister, no resolution has been reached to address this critical issue.
The sand shortage has led to widespread unemployment among laborers, with both private and public construction projects, including roads and bridges, halted indefinitely. Responding to the gravity of the situation, six major construction organizations have collectively announced a protest in Bhatkal on Wednesday, November 13, demanding the immediate restoration of sand supplies.
In a press conference, Nagendra Naik, President of the Civil Engineer and Architect Association, shared details of the protest, stating that a rally will begin from the Old Bus Stand at 9:00 AM on Wednesday, and reach Shamsuddin Circle via Main Road and National Highway. From there, it will proceed toward the Taluk Administration building, known as the Mini Vidhana Soudha, where a memorandum of demands will be presented to the Bhatkal Assistant Commissioner. He appealed to the public and other organizations in the taluk to join the protest and extend their support to help resolve the sand supply issue.
Nagendra Naik explained that the suspension of sand supply has crippled all construction activities, severely affecting engineers, contractors, centering workers, construction laborers, painters, tipper and luggage auto owners, and businesses related to cement, steel, and other construction materials. As a result, over 80,000 individuals, including approximately 30,000 families, are directly affected by the economic fallout.
Association member Misbahul Haq clarified the demands of the protest, stating that their first demand is for the government to establish a clear policy to not only restore the sand supply but also to prevent any individual or group from monopolizing it. For this, sand supply should be resumed from Honnavar as well as from Kundapur in neighboring Udupi district. The second demand is for a special relief package for those affected by this prolonged halt, similar to what is provided during natural disasters.
Present at the conference were the convener of the protest and Secretary of the Civil Engineers and Architect Association, Suresh Pujari; President of the Labor Association, Shridhar Naik; President of the Tipper Owners Association, Abdul Azeez; President of the Painting Association, Rama D. Naik; and representatives from other organizations.
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