Mangaluru: The district’s sand shortage problem will be solved within a month and till then, it will be seen that the shortage does not affect the construction works of the government, Ashraya houses and others, said Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner Sasikanth Senthil.

Addressing a press meet on Thursday, September 20, the DC informed that thrice tenders had been called for 22 sand blocks, the Coastal Regulatory Zone (CRZ) being one of them and the sand extraction work had begun in only two blocks.

He added that due to the strict government rules regarding sand mining, many contractors were not taking up the tender contracts. “We have recommended to the government to relax some of the norms and are hoping that it will be approved. Surveys are being done within the CRZ limits. Once the Karnataka Coastal Zone Management Authority gives its nod for the report, the sand extraction work can begin,” he said.

Speaking about the drying of the rivers in the district, he said that a request had been made to assess the reasons behind the reduction in water levels and that a report on the same was expected in a couple of days. He added that necessary steps would be taken to address the water management issue once the report was received.