CHENNAI: The Water Resources Department has decided not to open any new river sand quarry until the conclusion of the upcoming Assembly elections, officials have confirmed.
The decision comes amid administrative hurdles, conflicts over contract awards, and ongoing investigations into sand mining operations in the State.
Twelve river sand quarries had been functioning under the control of the Water Resources Department. These quarries supply sand to designated yards through private contractors. However, operations were disrupted after the Enforcement Directorate registered cases against the contractors for alleged money laundering linked to illegal sand mining.
Following this, the quarries operated by these contractors were sealed, effectively bringing legal river sand extraction under the department to a standstill. As a result, no river sand quarries are currently operating under the Water Resources Department across Tamil Nadu.
With construction activity continuing across the State, demand for sand has risen sharply. To meet the shortfall, a portion of the requirement is now being met through sand transported from neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, leading to higher costs for builders and consumers. In an attempt to address the shortage, the Water
Resources Department had earlier identified around 30 new locations for sand quarrying, excluding environmentally sensitive and problematic zones.
Environmental clearances were also obtained for these sites. However, despite these approvals, none of the proposed quarries has been operationalised to date. Officials said preparations were made last month to open sand quarries at eight locations. However, these plans were stalled following intervention at the ministerial level.
According to sources, differences emerged between the department and the minister concerned over the selection of contractors to operate the quarries. While officials reportedly preferred appointing new contractors, the minister allegedly insisted on continuing with existing contractors, resulting in a deadlock.
Representatives of lorry owners and sand traders said the stalemate has led to severe supply constraints.
With Assembly elections approaching in the coming months, officials have now decided that no new quarry operations will be initiated until the polls are over. A final decision on reopening or awarding quarry contracts is expected only after the elections.
In the meantime, builders and homeowners continue to bear the brunt of rising construction costs, as they are forced to rely on more expensive sand transported from neighbouring states.