Mangaluru: “There is no shortage of sand in Dakshina Kannada district and if we are able to prevent the illegal extraction and transportation of sand, the problem of sand will be rectified, ” said Dakshina Kannada district Deputy Commissioner Dr. S. Sasikanth Senthil on Wednesday, January 9.

Addressing the journalists during the ‘meet the press’ programme organised at Patrika Bhavan he said, “in order to set right the problem of sand, temporary permits have been given to the contractors. However, providing permits for more than 120 contractors is not a solution to the scarcity of sand. I have sent a report to the government that sand extraction should be limited to 100 to 120 contractors only and the number should not be exceeded at any cost”, he said.

Senthil admitted that proper coordination between mines and geology, police and district administration has failed to prevent illegal sand extraction and transportation. “However, district administration would take all appropriate measures to tackle this problem in the coming days”, he said.

Lauding the concept of ‘Brand Mangaluru’ by Dakshina Kannada District Working Journalists Association, Senthil said, “Mangaluru had a good brand name and reputation already which should not be tarnished. However, efforts have been going on tarnish that brand in the recent years. Media should be pro-active to counter this effort,” he said.

While responding to a query on traffic congestion Senthil said, “most of the public places are turning into private places which is the root cause for the traffic congestion. Besides that, we should stop developing our city for vehicles, but we should develop it for the sake of people. Though vehicles are increasing in number, we are not able to widen the roads. Hence, policy decisions need to be taken to address the problems of traffic congestion”, he said.

Meanwhile, DC Sasikanth Senthil was felicitated on the same occasion. Dakshina Kannada district Working Journalists Association President Srinivas Nayak Indaje, secretary Ibrahim Adkasthala among others were present.