Extension of quarrying ban digs deeper hole

Of its daily requirement of 7,000-8,000 sand loads, city is being supplied only 5,000

The delay in procuring sand has affected the construction of individual houses, and small- and medium-range apartment complexes — File Photo

The recent extension of a ban on sand quarrying in Kancheepuram district by a year has hit a construction industry already affected by a scarcity of river sand and an escalation in its price over the last one month.

With sand mining suspended temporarily in the only operational quarry in Tiruvallur due to rains, the pressure on sand lorries to bridge the gap in supply has increased. On an average, Chennai needs 7,000 to 8,000 truck loads of sand daily. However, only 5,000 loads are being supplied now.

A lorry load comprising 300 cubic feet of sand costs between Rs. 15,000 and Rs. 20,000, twice the prevailing rate of last year.

According to builders, the delay in procuring sand has affected the construction of individual houses, and small- and medium-range apartment complexes. “We are unable to complete even plastering and roofing works because fine sand, essential for these, is not available now,” said Andrew Vethanayagam, president, Chennai Suburban Builders Association. When the deadlines for projects are extended, the additional costs are imposed upon the buyers.

The Water Resources Department (WRD) is operating 16 sand quarries in the Chennai region comprising Vellore, Villupuram and Cuddalore districts. Sand lorry owners complain they have to travel as far as Tiruchi and wait for three days to fetch sand.

Though the WRD has fixed the rate for a truck load of 200 cubic feet of sand as Rs. 1,000, the final cost to the consumer goes up to Rs. 12,000- Rs.13,000. C. Anandan, president of Avadi Sand Lorry Owners Association, said: “We are able to operate only up to four sand loads every week instead of the usual seven loads. We buy a truck load of sand for Rs. 4,000 from the stockyard.”

The cost increases to Rs. 23,000 per truck load when the sand is sourced from distant quarries. Sand lorry owners allege that illegal sand mining in water bodies around Chennai has become rampant.

S. Yuvaraj, president, Tamil Nadu State Sand Lorry Owners Federation, said besides poor quality sand from neighbouring states, soil excavated from water bodies too is sold at a lesser price. The federation has submitted petitions to the Tiruvallur district administration to curb illegal mining.

The WRD has planned to open three more quarries in Vellore district once the State Environmental Impact Assessment Authority gives its clearance. There are also plans to open more quarries in Tiruvallur, said an official.