Valapattanam river sand mining project sparks row

Residents allege that the company plans to collect and filter sand

- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @Kannur

A CONTROVERSY has broken out over the awarding of a sand extraction contract to a private company for operations in the Valapattanam river at Pappinisseri. A local action council formed by residents has voiced opposition to the move, alleging that the company plans to collect and filter sand in a densely populated residential area under the guise of deepening the Azhikkal ship channel. The council has raised serious environmental and public health concerns.

Residents fear the sand filtering process could lead to saltwater intrusion into household wells and that unregulated sand mining may trigger land subsidence. The action council has called for an immediate halt to the project, warning that it will pollute freshwater sources, degrade air quality and threaten the well-being of the local community.