Pathanamthitta: The forest department secretary has issued order banning transport of sand from Pamba. Following this sand removal from the river was stopped temporarily. However, permission has been granted to transport the earlier removed sand.

On May 29, former chief secretary, revenue secretary and DGP had visited the area and instructed not to wait for forest department’s permission to remove sand. Then chief secretary had verbally instructed to take necessary steps in this regard, confirmed attendees of the meeting. Following this the sand removal restarted.

But after many days, the forest department issued order banning sand removal and transportation of it.

According to Disaster Management Authority, sand can be removed from the river. However, this can’t be transported outside.

After the 2018 flood, sand was collected under Devaswom Board. This can be removed.

As per the forest department order, the price of it, would be decided later.

As uncertainty prevails, sand removal and transport has been temporarily stopped.