Sand sales via online to prevent further price rise
Posted on: 17/Jun/2017 3:44:33 PM
The state government of Tamil Nadu has been intensely exploring the setting up of online booking/sales of riverside sand in order to streamline the trading system.
Sand quarries are set up by the various riversides in several areas of Tamil Nadu including Trichy, Karur, Ramanathapuram, Thanjavur, and Villupuram and sand is taken and transported.
The quarries, which were run by private agencies, has been now taken over by the PWD (Public Works Department) of the state government since the month of May.
The sand quarries were closed for 10 days during the last month. Also, sand is now taken as per the government rules and regulations. These 2 situations have led to an acute sand shortage in the construction field since the last 2 months.
Due to this acute shortage, 2.5 units of sand are sold at Rs. 15000 in Trichy and Rs. 40000 in Chennai.
Earlier, the price was Rs. 4000 in Trichy and Rs. 15000 in Chennai. Moreover, the acute shortage of sand has completely blocked progress in the construction industry.
The owners of the sand transporting lorries explained that they need to wait for up to 20 days to load one lorry with sand. This means additional expenses for the prolonged stay for the drivers. Helpers, etc. They have to include these additional expenses while selling the sand. This is the main reason for the sand price increase.
When enquiring about the situation to PWD circles, they explained that there is no way to control other lorries apart from sand lorries to enter the quarries. As the number of quarries is being increased, this shortage will be solved over the next 10 days.
The possibilities of implementing a procedure are being explored where the lorries which arrive as per the booked and specified dates online will be loaded and sent. If this is implemented, this would help avoid time delays in waiting for a number of days. The lorries can arrive at the specified date and time intimated while booking online, get loaded with sand and leave. This will also help reduction in sand price.
