Arun Puttilla Slams Karnataka Govt for Sand, Red Stone Crisis in Dakshina Kannada

 

Arun Puttilla

Mangaluru, June 17, 2025: The Karnataka Congress government is under fire for its stringent regulations on sand and red stone transportation, which have led to a severe shortage of construction materials in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts. Social activist Arun Kumar Puttilla has accused the government of creating an artificial scarcity that has disrupted the lives of poor construction workers and stalled repairs of homes damaged by natural disasters.

According to Puttilla, the government’s strict rules have halted red stone transportation in the coastal districts, severely impacting the construction industry. “The Congress government’s policies have left poor workers jobless and unable to meet daily expenses, children’s education, or medical costs,” he said. The shortage has also delayed the restoration of homes affected by recent landslides and heavy rains, exacerbating the plight of families in Mangaluru and surrounding areas.

Heavy rainfall in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi has already caused significant disruption, with landslides destabilizing communities. The lack of sand and red stone has compounded the crisis, leaving many families unable to rebuild. “The government’s rigid policies have created a situation where people are struggling to repair their homes damaged by natural calamities,” Puttilla added.

The construction sector, a lifeline for numerous families in Mangaluru, is reeling under the impact. Many workers, dependent on daily wages, are now facing financial hardship. Puttilla criticized the government for its “insensitive” approach, stating that the rules have drawn a “line of poverty” over the lives of laborers.

Demanding immediate action, Puttilla called for the relaxation of permits for red stone quarrying and transportation. He urged the government to ease the “harsh regulations” to restore normalcy in the construction sector. “If the government fails to act swiftly, we will be forced to launch a protest against these anti-poor policies,” he warned.

The issue has sparked widespread concern in Mangaluru, with local leaders and workers echoing Puttilla’s demands. As the crisis deepens, all eyes are on the Congress government to address the shortage and provide relief to the affected communities.

Keywords: Karnataka Congress government, sand shortage Mangaluru, red stone crisis Dakshina Kannada, Udupi red stone transport, Arun Puttilla protest, construction workers Mangaluru, Karnataka government policies,