Goemkarponn Desk
PANAJI: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said that Goa government will issue passes through Directorate of Mines for sand transporting trucks from both Goa and Maharashtra, informed CM Pramod Sawant.
He was speaking to media persons after meeting with Former Maharashtra MP Nilesh Rane over the tussle between the sand transporters associations of both the states.
The issue has been resolved to ensure that sand is available for constructions at good rate, said Sawant.
Around 440 transporters from both the states (140 from Goa and 300 from Maharashtra) will be issued passes through Mines Department.
“There was a conflict between the Goa and Maharashtra sand transportation associations. After resolving it, they have been told that officially, they have to get the passes that the government issues,” said CM
Sawant said that the issue was that we were not getting any sand, and rates had also been hiked. So (now), trucks of both associations (Goa and Maharashtra) will run smoothly.”
Recently, CM Sawant had said that legal permits for sand extraction in the state cannot be issued until the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) completes its study of all rivers in the state with regard to sand mining.
Sawant said that he said that the NIO has given a report only about the Chapora river and that reports are yet to come regarding other locations.
“The government will not be able to take any decision without it,” he added.
The Chief Minister said that NIO is responsible for preparation of study report for sand removal in Zuari as well as other rivers.
