Even as the State Government is taking steps to check growing menace of illegal sand mining and streamline the system, the ground realities are reflecting a gloomy scene with sand prices trading at an all time high of Rs 105 per cubic feet (CFT). As the market is witnessing severe shortage, sand prices have jumped from Rs 40 per CFT in July this year to Rs 105-120 per CFT in the first week of the current month, giving tough time to contractors, developers and builders and even individual buyers.

 

It is important to note that the Nagpur market has never seen sand prices crossing Rs 75 per CFT mark. Sources told The Hitavada that majority of sand ghats in the district as well as those in the adjoining places that cater to the local needs, are either closed or not operating to its capacity. This has eventually created a huge mismatch between demand and supply and pushed the prices. One of the sand suppliers, refusing to disclose his identity, said that the supply has dipped by 65-70 per cent. “Normally, most of the sand ghats resume supply in September-October. However, partially extended rainy season this year and unholy nexus between political leaders and sand mafia have created a first-of-its-kind artificial shortage,” said the sources.

 

Expressing deep concern over the matter, former President of CREDAI Nagpur Metro Vijay Dargan said that the builders and developers are bearing the brunt of high rates of sand. “Work at many construction sites has come to a grinding halt because of the rising prices of sand. Builders and developers cannot buy sand at such a high cost and thus they have no other option but to stop the work,” he added. The season before Diwali is very crucial for the construction sector when most of the contractors and builders are in a hurry to complete the project before the festival. “However, the current situation is quite different. More than double the hike in sand prices is affecting the projects. It will certainly affect prices of flats, households even in the affordable housing schemes,” he pointed out. Gaurav Agarwala, former President of CREDAI Nagpur Metro, also said that the all-time-high prices of sand are troubling builders and developers as well as individuals.

 

“Sand is one of the crucial commodities required to construct households. If the prices rise more than double in such a short span, the entire project loses economic feasibility,” he explained. Agarwala urged the policy makers to intervene and control the prices. “Ideally it should be in Rs 40-50 per CFT,” he observed. However, the market experts believe that the prices will not come below Rs 70 per CFT even if supply increases. In an attempt to curb rampant illegal sand mining across the State, Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule had recently announced that violations in sand mining will attract not just fines but also criminal charges. Making a statement in the Legislative Assembly, Bawankule had said the Home and Revenue Departments have issued a unified Government resolution to address the loophole that previously allowed violators to escape with mere penalties.