Illegal sand mining is rampant in Srikakulam district in spite of the claims of the authorities that they are inspecting the ramps frequently and imposing fines on lawbreakers.

The sand mafia, which is highly influential, is reportedly extracting between Rs.80 crore and Rs.100 crore worth of sand every year from the Vamsadhara, Nagavali, Bahuda and Mahendratanaya rivers.