Vijayawada: The recent abnormal increase in sand prices is leaving builders and people constructing their homes grumbling. The situation has turn such that quite a few projects have been put on hold.
Though the government, as per its sand policy, allows the public to take the material for free, the consumers still have to bear the transportation charges. This is where the common man feels looted.
The price of one lorry load of sand was till recently Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000, dependent on the area it was supplied to. This has now shot up to Rs 5,000 to Rs 6,000 per lorry load.
The demand for sand has shot up due to the hectic construction activity in Krishna and Guntur districts, and nearly 2,000 types of buildings and apartments under various stages of construction in the state capital region. Over the past few days, construction work has more or less ground to a halt due to the rising sand prices, resulting in demands for the government to step in.
D. Raghavulu, a pensioner, said that he had started construction of his house with the money he received on retirement but his budget has gone awry due to the increased sand prices. He said that cost of two units of sand in a lorry was only '2,000 when he started construction two weeks ago but he was now paying '6,000 for the same quantity.
“Presently, it takes about two to seven days to get a lorry load of sand due to short supply. There is no use of the free sand policy of the government as the sand mafia is looting the public,” Mr Raghavulu said, urging the government to take measures to control sand prices.
A promoter and builder S. Sarath said that the next eight months are crucial with regards to construction activity in the state capital region.
“Sand is plentiful in Krishna and Guntur districts that are located on the banks of the River Krishna but there being no control on the prices, our project cost has risen 5 per cent to 10 per cent. This has led to many projects being put on hold,” Mr Sarath said.
He too demanded that the government step in and take immediate measures to control the rising sand prices.
