Flood brings 141 lakh cubic meters of mineable sand to Kerala rivers; ₹200 crore revenue potential

KOCHI: A large amount of sand has been deposited in 17 rivers flowing in 11 districts in a way that can be mined. This has been accumulated after the great flood. This has been found out by the Revenue Department after it conducted a sand audit to prevent the possibility of floods. There are 464.47 lakh cubic meters of sand in these rivers. Out of this, 141.25 lakh cubic meters can be mined.

Bharathapuzha has the highest amount. 211.11 lakh cubic meters. Out of this, 99.09 lakh cubic meters of sand can be mined. The 225 km long Periyar is second. 75.86 lakh cubic meters in Periyar, out of which 9.78 lakh cubic meters can be mined.

The audit was conducted in 36 rivers. The government has approved the audit of 33 rivers, including five tributaries. There is no sand availability in 16 rivers, including Neyyar and Karamana River. Sand mining will continue to be banned in these places. According to the report of the CSIR National Institute of Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST), sites with mining potential have been identified in eight districts.

Mining permission in 5 districts

Mining permission has been received in Kollam, Thrissur, Malappuram, Palakkad and Kannur districts. Sand mining will begin soon in the Bharathapuzha, Kadalundi and Chaliyar rivers in the Malappuram district.

200 crore – Expected income from sand mining

Sand availability (River, sand that can be mined, quantity in lakh cubic meters)

Kulathupuzha River..................................2.39, 0.59

Achankovil..................................9.42, 0.30

Pamba..........................................................54.29, 6.86

Manimala................................................6.22, 4.42

Muvattupuzha River.................................76.64, 1.75

Periyar.................................................75.86, 9.78

Bharathappuzha............................................211.11, 99.01

Chaliyar............................................8.95, 5.40

Kadalundi.................................................4.16, 1.33

Peruvamba............................................0.70, 0.096

Mahi..................................................288.45, 288.45

Valapattanam............................................12.28, 0.60

Srikantapuram.................................3.36, 0.90

Uppala......................................................7.82, 0.97

Shiriya-Elkana..........................38.85, 7.96

Chandragiri.................................................1.17, 0.20

Mogral.............Gravel deposit only