Udupi: A massive indefinite dharna satyagraha was launched today in front of the District Collector’s office, demanding immediate resolution of the red stone and sand shortage that has hit construction activities across the district. The protest was organized under the leadership of the Udupi District Building and Other Construction Workers’ Union Coordination Committee.

Speaking at the protest, CITU State Vice President Balakrishna Shetty highlighted that the poor heavily depend on red stones for house construction, as they cannot afford pillar-based structures. “The dreams of poor families to build homes have collapsed due to the district administration’s restrictive policies. Even construction workers are left jobless,” he said.

CITU District General Secretary Suresh Kallagara pointed out that out of 147 sites identified by the administration for red stone extraction, very few have quality stones, creating a severe supply-demand gap. He alleged that the shortage has allowed sellers to exploit the poor by charging exorbitant rates.

The protestors put forth several key demands:

  • Legal permits for quarrying in quality stone areas.

  • Adoption of the Kerala model, where royalty is only ₹76 per ton.

  • Annual permit renewals instead of every six months to prevent illegal trading.

  • Licensing of safe laterite (Murukallu) quarries.

  • Permission for stones from Dakshina Kannada without restrictions.

  • Action against black market traders inflating prices.

    • They stressed that stones should be available at earlier affordable rates so that housing projects for the poor can continue without obstacles.

    Prominent leaders who participated included H. Narasimha, Chandrashekhar V, Rama Karkad, Shashidhar Golla, Kaviraj S. Kanchan, Subhashchandra Nayak, Chikka Mogaveera Gangolli, Rajiv Padukone, Sridhar Uppunda, Ramesh Gulwadi, Nagaratna Paduvari, Jyoti, Shanta, Dalit Rights Committee District Convener Sanjeev Balkur, and Ronald Rajesh Quadrus.