Tamil Nadu: Building projects delayed due to sand shortage

CHENNAI: The real estate and infrastructure sectors of Tamil Nadu are feeling the pinch of sand shortage, which has halted numerous building projects across the city. “Only 10 per cent of State’s 38 sand quarries are functional ad 80 per cent construction activity has been hit,” said Suresh Krishn, President, Confedaration of Real Estate Development Association of India (CREDAI) at a press conference on Friday.

Against the sand requirement of 7,600 loads per day, the quarries are only able to provide 2,600 loads per day. Also, Suresh raised the problem of quarry proximity to the city. “Functional quarries are in Tiruchy, Namakkal, Karur, Villipuram and Arcot, none of which is close to the city. There are huge number of quarries available in close proximity to the city from which sand can be scooped – Kanchipuram (15), Cudd-alore (5), Thiruvallur (3), Thiruvanamalai (3), Villipuram (6) and Vellore (6),” he said.

CREDAI had waived off the alternative suggested by government for river sand- M sand as it is supposed to be washed with water and with acute water scarcity in the city it is impossible to think of it now. He also alleged that quarry dust is mixed in M-sand. The delay of construction projects and loss in investments has hit many lives depending on sand supply. About 3.5 lakh people are employed in sand lorries and 10 lakh people in construction industry.S. Yuvaraj, president of Tamil Nadu Sand lorry Owner’s Federation said the entire value chain is affected and the transporters of sand work only for two days a week. He lauded the move of government to issue sand online from Saturday.

Suggesting alternative measures, they said that national permits should not be allowed and the government should authorise more quarries. In order to condemn the current state of affairs in the sector, CREDAI along with other industry players announced a hunger strike on July 6.