EC approves 14 sand belts auction in district

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:

Of the 26 sand mining belts in the district, the auction process for eight belts has been completed, while four belts are currently under auction. The remaining 14 belts have received approval from the environmental committee (EC) and will be auctioned soon, said the in-charge, deputy district minor minerals officer Dinesh Zample.

Under the state government’s new policy, a total of 26 sand belts have been earmarked for auction in the district. These sites contain approximately 1.49 lakh brass of sand, with a total government-assessed value of ₹8.08 crore. Of the 12 belts, eight have completed the auction process, while four received no bids. One belt was cancelled due to an incorrect bid, and the remaining four belts are being readied for a fresh auction.

The 14 belts recently approved by the EC are in Kannad tehsil’s Jawkheda, Sarol, Borsar, Shewta and Digav Khedi; Vaijapur tehsil’s Rajura–Undirwadi, Awwalgaon–Nagamthan, Lakhni, Wanjargaon; and Paithan tehsil’s Pategaon, Nander Part 2, Nander Part 3, and Brahmgaon.