Mining mess:Soaring sand prices ground claims

Chandigarh : Even as the government is struggling to ensure a clean and transparent mining business, people await sand at affordable prices. A reality check by The Tribune reporters found that prices have instead gone up substantially. The controversy pertaining to Congress Minister Rana Gurjit Singh’s alleged involvement in the auction of mines through his former employees and the cancellation of 56 mines have worsened the situation. With only about 90 mines operational so far, the prices are expected to soar further in the ongoing construction season.
Otherwise also, the prices were to go high as the quarries were auctioned at much higher prices this year. The price of sand has increased from Rs 14,000 per 800 cubic ft to Rs 19,000 per 800 cubic ft in just two months. Inquiries by The Tribune found that sand was now available between Rs 15,000 and Rs 25,000 per tipper (900 cubic ft) in different parts of the state depending on the sand quality and distance from the mine.
Simarjit Bains, Lok Insaaf Party MLA, who had opened a morcha against high sand prices last year, said the consumers were paying through the nose. “When we took on illegal mining in mid-2016, the prices were up to Rs 35,000 per tipper. Later, these came down to around Rs 10,000. Now, it’s reversal again. Against every legal vehicle transporting sand at least five illegal are plying.”
Tippers are used by large construction houses or distributors. But for the common man, the rates of sand per tractor-trailer are more relevant. The prevailing rates are Rs 2,000 to Rs 5,000 per tractor-trailer having a capacity of 125 to 200 cubic ft. The prices have gone up by more than 20-30 per cent and even doubled at various places.