Machine sand mining spot raided

April 1, 2011

Mangalore, April 1: A sand mining location was raided by revenue officials led by Bantwal Tahsildar Ravi Chandra Naik on Thursday at Malli along the banks of the Netravathi in Pudu village of Bantwal taluk.

Naik said that following reports about violations of law, he and the Sub-Inspector of Bantwal rural police station raided the location where sand mining was being carried out through machines.

According to law, sand could only be extracted manually, Naik said and added that the lease holder Lateef had permission to carry out mining operations in the area.

Tahsildar said he had written to the Department of Mines and Geology, seeking action in the matter. However, he was not familiar with the action to be taken against the leaseholder and said only the Department of Mines and Geology could handle that.

Deputy Commissioner Subodh Yadav brushed aside the incident stating it was “nothing special”, which happened “more or less every day”. He said the Revenue Department officials had been carrying out several such raids in the last few days, but without the involvement of the Department of Mines and Geology.

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Clean and Green on Wheels: Mangaluru’s Push for Electric Public Transport

News Network

November 13,2024

In the heart of Mangaluru, where rising air pollution is spurring public health worries, voices are calling for a greener, cleaner shift in the city’s public transport. Leading this call is APD Foundation, a Mangaluru-based environmental NGO, which has urged Forest, Ecology, and Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre to mandate electric vehicle (EV) adoption in public transport.

Abdullah A Rehman, CEO of APD Foundation, emphasized in a formal letter to the minister that Mangaluru’s public transportation system—efficient and organized with both government and private players—could transition smoothly to EVs in stages. He suggested that government-backed financial incentives, partnerships with EV manufacturers, and collaborations with environmental groups could streamline the switch.

Rehman stressed the potential of EVs to cut down emissions, enhance air quality, and reduce noise levels, noting the quieter operation of electric buses. He confirmed that a copy of his letter was submitted to the Deputy Commissioner as well.

However, Dilraj Alva from the Dakshina Kannada City Bus Association noted potential challenges, explaining that the shift might take up to two years due to infrastructure and budget hurdles. Most EV buses, he explained, are procured through aggregators, not directly by individual operators. The addition of charging stations and other essential infrastructure further complicates the transition.

Alva also raised the economic concern: while diesel buses are priced between ₹30-40 lakh, electric buses can cost up to ₹1 crore. Reflecting on recent meetings with companies, including one in Manipal, he questioned the assumption that EVs are an absolute solution to pollution. “EVs aren’t entirely eco-friendly, especially when considering battery disposal,” he cautioned.

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