SIEAA nod to govt for 7 new sand quarries

It also said that it would open up government sale depots near the river bed, according to a release from the Secretariat. The release added that the State was taking measures to promote use of M-sand (artificial sand) as an alternative to river sand in the construction sector. 

The release follows the Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami’s promise at an event in Madurai, on State taking over the mining, storage, and sale of sand to keep a tab on the soaring sand prices.

“In addition to the existing sand quarries, State had secured environment clearance to open 7 more quarries. Efforts are being taken to open the approved quarries which will ensure adequate supply of sand to meet the demand in construction sector. Government sales depots will be opened in required areas and near river beds. Plans are on the anvil to change the payment from Demand Draft to credit and debit cards. Patrolling by revenue and police officials will be enhanced to keep a tab on irregularities, if any. Measures are also being taken to prevent smuggling of sand to neighbouring States”, the release said. 

“Steps are also being taken to encourage production of M-sand, considering the growing demand for sand in construction work”, the release added. 

Illegal sand mining from the river bed and smuggling the sand to the neighbouring States are the major issues plaguing the industry. 

Activists for long had been against sand mining and insisting on coming up with alternates to the river sand, as the latter holds the key for ground water recharge. 

M-sand might come in handy and the stakeholders suggest the State should come up with transparent and tangible model for its production, and single-window clearance for all the requisite industrial permissions.