SAND is again on the boil in city putting the construction industry in a bind as the prices have reached Rs 70,000 per truck, one with capacity to transport 1100 cubic foot. This has queered the pitch for the big builders and developers. It is being said that technical issue with Mining Department has resulted in sand ghats remaining closed and since last 10 days the matters have excaberated throughout the State. Apart from that even excavation and transportation of murrum has come to a grinding halt leaving major projects in jeopardy, including ongoing big infrastructure push in the region. However, a deeper investigation revealed an altogether different story.

 

The grapevine in the industry says that the rivalry between sand ghat players, each one with political back-up working in background, has led to the sand prices spiralling out of control. Basically there are two main players in sand business in the district and now a third one's entry, that of Sand Transportation Union, disrupted the market that was mostly operating on the sly, said the persons with knowledge about the issue. As per information, the sand ghats in Nagpur District were auctioned in the month of April and the predominant players actively bid to corner the prime spots. Though the lease is in operation till end of September, the excavation from river beds stopped from June 9, the cut-off time coinciding with onset of monsoon. So the sand that got excavated till that time and stocked by respective players continued to keep the prices cool.

 

However, a deeper probe revealed manipulation angle, as the transporters with large fleet joined hands to bid and corner the sand ghats to gain upper hand in the market. But entry of another big player played spoilsport for the one big shot who was well entrenched in the game for long. The sources claimed that major reason for suppression of sand prices in the city where construction activity is on upswing was use of underhand method. The modus operandi as per some in administration is that one royalty is claimed and was used multiple times to ferry the sand to construction sites in city. The same was done by entering long distance site on the royalty pass, but covertly the truck got emptied enroute. So using the single pass, the trucks made multiple trips from depot to designated sites of buyers. But the game went sour when a relatively new entrant refused to join the game and insisted on playing fairly and squarely. The new jockey it is learnt is now hell-bent on destroying the alleged illegal sand transportation market. The player it is said has mobilised his resources and targeting trucks engaged in moving sand without valid royalty pass. The sources claimed these men are bashing up the truck drivers and forcing later to empty the truck wayside. This has resulted in complete halt to incoming sand parcels that were being sold at quite cheaper rates.

 

So anyone wanting to buy thorugh proper legal channels, with proper royalty paid at source, the prices are now beyond reach. In fact, the construction industry leaders said the sand issue needs political solution as even the Courts have been unable to restore order till date. The State Government needs to intervene and frame proper policy that does not have any room for confusion and more importantly, manipulation by local big fish. They recalled that during last year the sand prices had touched Rs 120/cubic foot, that had brought construction sites to halt. This year also the same game is getting played at cost of citizens as the prices that was prevailing at Rs 55/cubic foot, have suddenly spiralled to Rs 70 and and may soon touch century if the ongoing imbroglio is not resolved.