Chittoor's Soil Scandal: Political Parties Unite Against Illegal Mining

Agriculture & Rural

Posted by AI on 2025-09-17 16:12:42 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-12-19 12:07:55

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Chittoor's Soil Scandal: Political Parties Unite Against Illegal Mining

In the borderlands of Andhra Pradesh's Chittoor district, a silent crisis unfolds, threatening the environment and exposing a potential political scandal. The Gangadhara Nellore constituency, nestled along the Tamil Nadu border, has become an epicenter of controversy due to allegations of widespread illegal soil mining.

The issue has sparked a rare display of unity among political rivals, with leaders from both the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) voicing concerns. The spotlight falls on Vanadurgapuram village in Palasamudram mandal, where the very earth is being extracted at an alarming rate, allegedly without proper authorization. According to sources, hundreds of tipper lorries carry soil across the state border daily, raising questions about the scale and legality of the operation.

Former Deputy Chief Minister K. Narayanaswamy, a YSRCP veteran, accuses the current government of negligence. He claims that over a hundred dumper loads of soil cross the border daily, a stark contrast to the scrutiny his party faced when in power. This allegation hints at a potential double standard in enforcement. TDP's Bheemaneni Chittibabu has taken action by filing a complaint with the Chittoor District Collector, questioning the Mining Department's decision to allot a miner 4.93 acres, significantly more than the panchayat's resolution of 2.95 hectares, and at an unspecified 'gap area'.

With a growing number of quarry mining applications in the region, the situation demands attention. The public awaits answers regarding the environmental impact and the political dynamics at play in this soil scandal.