In the wake of growing concern over the use of substandard M-sand in construction, the Public Works Department is likely to make it mandatory for M-sand manufacturers to get approval from its assessment committee.
After the government encouraged the use of M-sand in construction activity as an alternate to river sand, of which there is an acute shortage, many manufacturers started selling it.
In the past one month, however, the department’s assessment committee has received only 10 applications from manufacturers for approval though the number of M-sand quarries have increased across the State, officials said.
According to sources in the PWD, there are nearly 300 quarries manufacturing M-sand in many parts of the State. But, only about 110 of them were manufacturing quality M-sand using vertical shaft impact crusher.
The Assessment Committee, comprising representatives from the Bureau of Indian Standards, Anna University, Structural Engineering Research Centre, IIT-Madras and various government agencies, meets every month to evaluate new building materials and to discuss innovation in use of materials and construction techniques.
Though a circular was issued instructing manufacturers to apply for product approval, only a few have adhered to it. “We provide approval within a week after site inspection. Many manufacturers may be hesitant to apply due to stringent norms,” said an official.
The State requires 30,000 loads of sand daily for construction activity. However, only eight quarries of river sand are being operated due to a delay in environmental clearance and residents’ stiff opposition, claimed officials. This has pushed up the price of river sand load to nearly ₹30,000 for two units.
Though the M-sand quarries have a capacity to supply more loads than the present 12,000 loads daily, many people hesitate to purchase loads due to concern about mixing of quarry dust. “We are planning to prepare a tentative list of manufacturers to supply for government agencies such as Highways Department who are seeking details. Moreover, the option of cancelling approval is also being considered if it is sub-standard,” said an official.
Meanwhile, sand lorry operators are demanding the opening of more river sand quarries to ease the sand shortage. S. Yuvaraj, president of Tamil Nadu State Sand Lorry Owners Federation, said only 1,500-2,000 loads of sand were being transported daily.
