Sand shortage hits real estate, govt infra projects across state
2
Ranchi: The
National Green Tribunal
's (
NGT
) ban on sand mining from June 10 to October 15 for monsoon has led to a sand crisis across the state, severely affecting construction work in both govt and private sectors.
The restriction, aimed at curbing environmental degradation during the monsoon season, has led to an acute shortage of sand, causing prices to surge exorbitantly. With sand supply halted, ongoing infrastructure projects, including road development, housing schemes, and public utility construction, have either slowed down or come to a complete standstill.
Private builders and contractors are also bearing the brunt of the shortage.
Many real estate projects have been delayed, leading to cost overruns and growing frustration among investors and homebuyers alike.
Sand mining from riverbeds stopped in Jharkhand on June 10 in accordance with the NGT order.
A Ranchi-based contractor who builds buildings for state govt, Rohit Agarwal, claimed, "Sand shortage have forced work to come to a halt. Unavailability of sand is causing delays in construction which would eventually lead to delay in completion of projects.
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A few projects are ongoing by some contractors who have their own sand stock otherwise a lot of projects are on halt."
The president of the Federation of Jharkhand Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Paresh Gattani, said, "Sand shortage across the state is creating major inconveniences. Price of sand has become exorbitantly high and businessmen are procuring sand from Bihar."
Within the span of a month, rates of sand have increased at least Rs 10,000- 15,000 per truck. "Before the ban was, it was around Rs 40,000 for a truck, which has now become Rs 50,000- 55,000 a truck of sand from Bihar," said Vikash Kumar, a businessman.
State mines director, Rahul Kumar Sinha, said, "Jharkhand State Mineral Development Corporation has a stock of around 80 lakh cubic feet of sand and parties needing sand can procure it through its website."
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