Chennai: Three years after introducing a policy that allows the import of river sand to fight acute shortcomings of the main construction material, Tamil Nadu can eliminate the policy.
While sources of sources of contractors from abroad have been told not to continue with imports again, the new sand mine for sand river spoons in different districts is in an off.
Consumer organizations have urged the government to make river sand from local mines available to the public at a nominal level.
About 18.616.5 tons of river sand imported through three TN ports including Kamarajar Port and Port Adani Kattupalli on the outskirts of Chennai remained unsold since mid-July.
Now, according to the order of the Department of Public Works (PWD), Sand importing contractors has been given until June 2022 to complete the sale of existing shares.
The initiative to import the Natural River River was launched in September 2018, with most of it received from Malaysia.
PWD officials said the import of river sand would be stopped because there were several takers after the request for MSand soared.
Shows that MSAH is cheaper, they say the cost component is the main factor.
“The government plans to reopen 15 new sand mines throughout the state, for which steps have begun to get the approval needed,” said a PWD official.
While seven sand mines currently operate throughout the state, new mines will be opened in the first quarter of next year.
Tamil Nadu M-Sand Truck Association of Welfare President S Yuvaraj said three units (300 cubic feet) from the river sand import costs Rs 40,000 including allegations to send them to construction sites.
“But, the same number of msand is available with half the price, Rs 19,500, and includes transportation costs as well,” he added.
T Sadagopan, an activist who is the President of the Progressive Consumer Center Tamil Nadu in Pattabiram, said MSAnd costs have increased in a few months that influence individuals to build their dream homes.
“This leads to friction between contractors and those who build their own homes as a spiral cost of construction.
The state government must ensure that the nominal level is set for river sand,” he added.