Government apathetic toward use of filtered sand : Lokayukta

Government apathetic toward use of filtered sand : Lokayukta

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Jan 10: Justice N. Sathosh Hegde said that the state government is least bothered about the use of filtered sand for construction of buildings. Revealing further details, he said that the Lokayukta had sent a report in May 2008 regarding the use of filtered sand used for construction of buildings. A reminder sent later to the chief secretary on this vital issue has also drawn a blank, said Justice Hegde.

According to the Lokayukta, soil is washed over a sieve to clear it of impurities and the silica sand obtained is used for construction. This sand has no binding force and buildings constructed using it will last no more than a decade.

The suo moto report was submitted following the collapse of a structure in Bangalore in Oct 2008, in which four were injured. In another case, 100 workers had a miraculous escape when a huge 15-storey structure, which was under construction, collapsed in Whitefield. These unfortunate incidents were because of filtered sand or silica sand and also because proper soil testing was not done prior to construction of these structures.

Alleging that civic authorities hardly supervise construction sites or check quality of material used, the Lokayukta said that engineers know the height of the building by checking the depth of its foundation and if statutory requirements are met as the building progresses. He said that a reminder was sent to the government following the collapse of a building in Bellary, in which 19 had died, adding that the government is still apathetic toward the situation.