Mangaluru, August 3, 2025: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) district unit has accused the local government of neglecting the severe shortage of red stone and sand, which has brought the city's construction industry to a standstill. This crisis is reported to have adversely affected the local economy and caused distress among thousands of construction workers.
At a press conference held on Saturday, BJP district president Satish Kumpala criticized district in-charge minister Dinesh Gundu Rao for his lack of concern regarding the issue. Despite repeated warnings and discussions with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, no substantial relief measures have been implemented, claimed Kumpala.
The scarcity of these essential building materials is having a significant impact on the construction sector, which is a key driver of the region's economic growth. The BJP leader highlighted the urgency of the situation and suggested that further protests may be unavoidable if the crisis is not promptly addressed.
The affected workers and associated businesses are eagerly awaiting government intervention to alleviate the shortages and restore normalcy to the industry. The implications of this ongoing issue extend beyond the immediate economic impact, affecting housing, infrastructure development, and employment opportunities in the region.
Minister’s Inaction Under Fire
Kumpala criticized Gundu Rao for his inadequate response to the district's issues during the latter's visits, stating that the minister neglected to hold meetings with local officials to tackle the crisis at hand. Additionally, Kumpala took aim at Congress leader U.T. Khader, claiming that despite convening meetings in Bengaluru and pledging to resolve the matter, Khader often departs for overseas travels without following through on his promises.
The BJP leader further accused other Congress members in the district of indifference towards the issue. Kumpala stressed the state government's obligation to guarantee legal and fair access to crucial resources such as sand and red stone. He highlighted that the central government has signaled willingness to streamline regulations for a tailored sand policy under the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) for coastal districts, contingent upon receiving a proposal from the state. However, Kumpala accused the state government of inaction, asserting that it has yet to draft a letter to the central authorities regarding this proposal.
Poor Quality Sand Adds to Woes
Mangaluru North MLA Dr. Y. Bharath Shetty, who attended the press conference, refuted the district administration's assertions regarding adequate sand reserves in non-CRZ (Coastal Regulation Zone) regions. He maintained that the existing sand is of inferior quality, characterized by coarseness and unsuitable for constructive purposes. Moreover, Dr. Shetty underscored the detrimental impact of illicit sand smuggling on the already diminishing stocks that can be used for construction.
In a related development, MLC K. Narasimha Nayak advocated for a more straightforward sand and red stone extraction policy, tailor-made for coastal areas. He proposed categorizing sand sources into different zones and empowering rural farmers to extract sand from small watercourses to cater to their agricultural needs. Nayak emphasized the pressing need for a distinct sand policy for coastal regions, accompanied by a more organized approach to red stone extraction regulations.
The BJP's accusations echo the burgeoning dissatisfaction in Mangaluru, where the construction industry grapples with a severe sand shortage, which in turn affects the livelihoods of workers and the broader economic landscape. The party has indicated intentions to escalate protests if the state government does not address the situation with urgent measures.
Keywords: Mangaluru sand shortage, red stone crisis, BJP Mangaluru, Sathish Kumpala, Dinesh Gundu Rao, coastal sand policy, construction sector, economic impact, U.T. Khader, CRZ regulations, Karnataka government
