Gundlupet: There has been a rampant increase in the illegal white marble mining at Gundlupet in Chamarajanagar district.

The official apathy is such that despite being witness to the transportation of white marble in tippers every day, they have turned a blind eye on the issue.

People involved in illegal mining have also been exporting the marbles to neighbouring Tamil Nadu and Kerala without official permit.

The Gumma Kallugudda, located near Gundlupet town, has been victim of illegal mining. The hill, which was spread across many acres, has been shrinking, all thanks to the illegal mining.

This has also resulted in the depletion of ground water level and huge pieces of rocks falling on the agriculture field because of the explosion, the walls of the houses have cracks and people are facing difficulties to commute because of dust created by constant movement of  heavy vehicles.

KRRS District Convenor Kadaburu Manju, said that every minute they could see a tipper transporting white marbles to either M-Sand manufacturing unit or being transported to  some other State. “There is a serious doubt on Revenue and Mines & Geology officials who have been keeping a blind eye over the issue,” he added.

While, people have been carrying out mining with legal permit at Gumma Kallugudda, Hasagooligudda in Begur hobli,  Belachalawadi, Arepura, Hirikaati and Thondawadi, in the rest of the places the illegal mining is rampant. Shockingly, the explosive required for the illegal mining is being provided by the mine owners and the officials are silent over the issue.

Speaking to Star of Mysore, Gundlupet Tahsildar K. Siddu said that the vehicles transporting white marbles had been seized after conducting raids and that the a letter had been written to the Department of Mines to conduct a thorough investigation.