Chennai: A shortage of sand that has ruled for quite a long time now and the Madurai High Court order banning mining of river sand has prompted demands for the importing of river sand. Over 125 agencies from Malaysia, Cambodia, and the Philippines are eyeing Tamil Nadu market to export their surplus river sands.
According to the Builders' Association of India, over 70 per cent of construction works have been halted owing to the ban and the shortage of M-Sand (Manufactured sand). Realtors want the government to frame regulations to enable them to import river sand from these Southeast Asian countries.
S. Ram Prabhu, Secretary, Builders' Association of India, said that government should encourage importing river sand as M-Sand quarrying affect the environment and mountains.
Manufacturers of M-Sand raised their price citing demand. Previously M-Sand was sold at Rs 30 per cft, but now the rate has increased to Rs 60 per cft (Cubic feet). Imported river sand will be given to customers at Rs 80 per cft, much less than locally mined river sand, which cost Rs 120 to Rs 140 per cft, he added.
The Tamil Nadu construction industry requires 20,000 to 30,000 loads of sand every day to keep the industry functioning. “M-Sand can cater only to 25 per cent of the industry's need and this will affect us. We understand that quality M-Sand is a suitable alternative for river sand, but our customers express apprehensions over using M-Sand. Now more than 70 per cent of construction works halted owing to the sand shortage”, Ram Prabhu, said.
Tuticorin and Chennai ports have the capability of handling 55-ton consignments, while Karaikal port has the competency of handling 40-ton consignments. These ports can help importing river sand from Southeast Asia, he added.
Meanwhile, manufactured sand (M-Sand), which was endorsed by the state government as alternate for river sand is yet to gain pace, as barely 9 M-Sand manufacturers were given quality approval by the public works department (PWD).
“Government has taken steps to promote M-Sand as an alternate for river sand and the general public has to be sensitised in this regard. With nine quarries and manufacturers received quality approval and another four applications are under scrutiny, M-Sand will pick-up in the state”, a PWD official said. All the nine quarries belong to Northern districts, of which three are located in outskirts of Chennai, the official added.
The builders also expressed fears and asked the government to take necessary steps to prevent stocking of river sand. “Some people would stock river sand using the six months' time given by the high court,” Ram Prabhu said.
With court injunction, the state government's plan to open 70 sand quarries has become uncertain. But PWD officials maintained that the department was also waiting for approval from the government.
