Rajahmundry: The delay in clearance for lease of sand has had its affect on the construction wing in both private and Government sector, in East Godavari.
Though the sand is available at several places in the district, the price tag of three to four fold, is forcing many in private sector to think twice to purchase at this price for their regular utilisation.
According to sources, the price of two units of sand has touched Rs 7000 to 7,500 at the places where unauthorised digging is going on against the normal price of Rs 2,000 to Rs 2,500. In order to make purchases the user had to pay much higher price to continue the works.
This non-availability is said to have affected the constructions under R and B, housing, PR, municipalities and the SC, ST sub-plan and allied activity in the district.
In general, before the general elections and imposition of election code, hectic construction activity takes place for various public needs.
According to sources, the new mining policy clearance, needed from environment ministry and pollution control board, are the main reasons for the existing situation.
A builder of Kakinada, P.V. Prasad, said that they had to discontinue the work for the time being due to the sharp rise in the price of sand.
The East Godavari roads and building department SE, C. S. N. Murty, on Wednesday, told this correspondent that various works under their department came to a standstill due to non-availability of sand.
The special permission given for departments earlier was cancelled leading to the present situation the SE clarified.
When contacted the district joint collector, R. Mutyala Raju, said that it may take some more time for sand auctions in the district. As of now six reaches are under study of Pollution Control Board, ten under the observation of district authorities and for 11 other reaches await environment clearance.
As far departments are concerned we have issued special permission to get sand supplies, the JC clarified.
