Strict action must be taken against the illegal transport of soil, sand, and coarse sand: Former Bellampudi Sarpanch Bandi Mahalakshmi lodges a complaint with the Kothapeta Revenue Divisional Officer.

.           SRINIVAS SPL Correspondant 
Amalapuram: Indian News Times :Bandi Mahalakshmi, the former Sarpanch of Bellampudi village, lodged a complaint through the public grievance redressal forum regarding the rampant activities of an illegal mining mafia—backed by political figures—in the Yerramshettivaripalem, Lankala Gannavaram, and Udimudilanka areas of P. Gannavaram Mandal (Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema District). She alleged that the mafia illegally transported lakhs of metric tonnes of sand and coarse sand from CRZ areas at night without any permits. She stated that these actions have completely ruined farmers' crops and devastated the environment; the Godavari flood protection bund (embankment) stretching from Yerramshettivaripalem to Ganti Pedapudi has been destroyed, and bridges over canals at Yerramshettivaripalem and Ganti Pedapudi have been completely demolished. She further alleged that officials from the Revenue and Mining departments have been turning a blind eye to the mafia's activities and actively abetting them.

 She demanded that strict legal action be taken against those involved in the illegal mining mafia and the officials who support them.  Speaking on the occasion, former Sarpanch Bandi Mahalakshmi stated that lakhs of metric tonnes of sand, coarse sand, and riverbed soil were illegally extracted—without any permits—from the CRZ (Coastal Regulation Zone) areas of Yarramshettivaripalem, Lankala Gannavaram, and Udimudilanka. She alleged that the riverbed was gouged to a depth of approximately 20 feet, causing environmental destruction, and the material was transported away in thousands of tipper trucks. Furthermore, she noted that thousands of lush green coconut trees were removed and vast quantities of soil were hauled away. She expressed concern that Revenue and Mining Department officials had completely ignored the situation for the past four months, resulting in severe damage. She has submitted a detailed letter to the Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) demanding a thorough investigation and survey regarding the illegal excavation and transport of soil and sand in these areas, as well as strict legal action against those involved in the illegal mining. 

She also demanded action against the Revenue and Mining officials who remained passive spectators instead of curbing the illegal soil and sand mafia. Bandi Mahalakshmi further stated that she informed the RDO that if no action is taken, she would file a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the High Court and with the Lokayukta, alongside farmers and local residents, backed by all necessary evidence. Her son, Bandi Ramesh, accompanied her during this interaction with the RDO.  They met him and urged him to take action against the illegal mining mafia.