Bhatkal: Construction work has come to a standstill in Bhatkal due to the suspension of sand supply for several months. The Bhatkal Engineers and Architects Association has demanded an immediate resolution to this issue, warning that if the supply of sand, crucial for construction, is not restored soon, they will launch a massive protest.
Addressing a press conference at their office, Association President Nagendra Naik stated that the six-month halt in sand supply has brought the construction of shops, houses, and other buildings in the taluka to a complete halt. As a result, many workers have been left idle, facing severe financial hardships. This crisis is impacting all sections of society and has broader economic consequences.
Naik emphasized that if there is a legal obstacle preventing the extraction of sand from the Sharavati River (Honnavar), the government should issue an inter-district permit to allow sand supply from neighboring Kundapur taluk. He urged the district administration to resolve this issue promptly. He added that a memorandum will soon be presented to Uttara Kannada District In-charge Minister Mankal Vaidya to expedite the solution.
Association member Misbah-ul-Haq pointed out that fishermen from Mangalore and Udupi bring their boats to Uttara Kannada, including Bhatkal, to fish without any inter-district restrictions. However, there are unjust restrictions on the supply of sand from neighboring districts. He questioned why obstacles are being raised over inter-district permits for sand, stating that Kundapur is not in another country but in the neighboring taluk of Bhatkal. "If fishermen can come here to fish, why can’t sand be supplied from neighboring districts?" he asked.
The press conference was also attended by the association’s Secretary Suresh Pujari, Vice President Sirajuddin, and members Mavan Rashid Ayman Data, Umair Misbah, Usama Ajaib and Mohammed Shuraim.
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