Peeved at the spiralling prices of construction materials and non-availability of river sand, members of Builders’ Association of India staged a demonstration at Jawahar Grounds here on Thursday urging the government to take steps to check the escalating prices of cement, steel and the river sand.
They said construction activities across the state had come to a grinding halt due to the skyrocketing prices of construction materials. As quarries in Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi districts were closed following the court’s order, river sand had to be brought from Karur. Three units of sand was being sold at ₹ 45,000 after registering for it seven days in advance.
Builders and traders struck work on Thursday to convey to the government that they could not brook any more delay in controlling the prices of construction materials. They said the stamp duty should be reduced from existing 11%. In Thoothukudi, the builders observed a fast to highlight their demands.
Nagercoil
Nagercoil unit of the Builders Association of India observed a fast here on Thursday. Builders alleged that when private agencies operated quarries, they sold as many as 40,000 truck loads of sand a day. It has come down to 4,000 truck loads a day. All works related to government and residential buildings had come to a grinding halt due to shortage of sand.
They also urge the government to reduce the recent hike in registration charges for land and buildings. Members of All India Builders Association, Construction Engineers Association, Tamil Nadu Sand Lorry Owners Association and Federation of Sand Lorry Owners Association, Tamilnadu Construction Workers Association participated in the hunger strike.
Shajahan, president, BAI, presided. Later, office-bearers of associations and federations submitted a petition to the Collector.
