Bhubaneswar, Nov. 13 -- Rampant smuggling of sand from nearby areas of the T-bridge on the Mahanadi River at Baideswar locality under Banki subdivision of Cuttack district is allegedly posing a serious threat to said structure.

In view of the same, the district Collector Dattatraya Bhausaheb Shinde has clamped Section 163 in the nearby areas and ordered to arrest the sand mafia involved in the illegal activity.

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According to sources, several mafias are active in the region and are earning handsomely in the absence of regular raids by the local administration. Concrete pillars of the bridge are facing threats as the minor mineral is illegally being quarried from around the structure.

Allegedly,...