Anger grows over ‘illegal’ sand mining in Korapuzha

Resentment is growing over “illegal” sand mining being carried out under the guise of dredging to remove accumulated silt and other sediments in the Korapuzha river in Kozhikode.

Last week, protesters blocked a contracting firm from transporting sand from Mattuvayal. Fishers and local residents also demolished a temporary bridge constructed over the Azheekkal canal, which was allegedly being used to transport sand.

The protesters alleged that the company had been engaged in “indiscriminate” sand mining without adequate “government oversight”.

Residents recently stopped an attempt to dump sludge generated after sand removal into a deep pit at Mattuvayal. “As per the contract, the sludge generated after processing soil was supposed to be removed from the area. However, this condition was violated, and there was an attempt to dump it within Mattuvayal itself, which is what we prevented,” said a resident.

Following the protests, the dredging work has been temporarily halted. Meanwhile, the police have registered a case against the protesters.

The dredging work, being carried out under the aegis of the Irrigation department, covers a stretch between the Korappuzha estuary and the Korappuzha railway bridge. It aims to remove around two lakh cubic metres of soil, which has been hindering the movement of fishing boats and contributing to flooding in nearby areas. The accumulation of silt has also been reducing water flow over time.

Meanwhile, local MLA and Minister for Forest and Wildlife A.K. Saseendran has promised to find a solution to the issue soon. He informed the protesters that a meeting would be convened with officials and residents after the State Assembly session.