Sand prices skyrocket in Rajasthan due to excavation ban
POWER & RENEWABLE ENERGY

Sand prices skyrocket in Rajasthan due to excavation ban

The ban on river sand excavation during monsoon, expiry of most leases, and restrictions imposed on weighbridges by the mining department have led to a rise in illegal mining and skyrocketing prices in the state. According to the ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) guidelines, leaseholders can't excavate sand from the river. Traders are selling sand from stockpiles collected before the rain. However, the dispatch of these vehicles/trucks from the truck yard is taking longer due to the new policy, affecting demand and supply and raising prices.

A leaseholder said, "On June 18, 2024, the mining department reduced the number of weighbridges. In a day where 500 vehicles were dispatched, now it has reduced to a maximum of 144 to 150. As there is a gap in demand and supply, many are selling it in the black market."

As river sand commands an exorbitant price in the grey market, people have no option but to buy it at higher rates. Currently, consumers in need are paying Rs 1,500 to 1,750 per tonne, compared to Rs 1,150 per tonne two months ago.

All Rajasthan Bajri Truck Operators Welfare Society president, Naveen Sharma, said, "As there is huge profit in this illegal trade, the mafia have deployed their vehicles. While the department is discouraging the leaseholders, there's no stringent action on illegal traders. Every truckload of bajri is being sold at double the price. Businessmen are sitting at home while the mafia is earning Rs 55,000 per round. A high-level committee should be constituted to eradicate the illegal problem forever."

An official source at the mining department said that the delay in auctioning the lease of sand blocks has also increased prices in the grey market. "At present, all the leases in Sawai Madhopur and Bhilwara are non-operational, and the only supply is from Tonk. Since traders are not able to provide timely supply as per the demand, there is a crisis."

With no immediate relief, middle-income groups have postponed the construction of their houses due to the crisis. Ankur Tiwari, a resident of Vaishali Nagar, said, "Bajri is an essential part of construction. As there is a disruption in supply, I have cancelled my plan to construct a house. I will plan once the rates stabilise."

The ban on river sand excavation during monsoon, expiry of most leases, and restrictions imposed on weighbridges by the mining department have led to a rise in illegal mining and skyrocketing prices in the state. According to the ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) guidelines, leaseholders can't excavate sand from the river. Traders are selling sand from stockpiles collected before the rain. However, the dispatch of these vehicles/trucks from the truck yard is taking longer due to the new policy, affecting demand and supply and raising prices. A leaseholder said, On June 18, 2024, the mining department reduced the number of weighbridges. In a day where 500 vehicles were dispatched, now it has reduced to a maximum of 144 to 150. As there is a gap in demand and supply, many are selling it in the black market. As river sand commands an exorbitant price in the grey market, people have no option but to buy it at higher rates. Currently, consumers in need are paying Rs 1,500 to 1,750 per tonne, compared to Rs 1,150 per tonne two months ago. All Rajasthan Bajri Truck Operators Welfare Society president, Naveen Sharma, said, As there is huge profit in this illegal trade, the mafia have deployed their vehicles. While the department is discouraging the leaseholders, there's no stringent action on illegal traders. Every truckload of bajri is being sold at double the price. Businessmen are sitting at home while the mafia is earning Rs 55,000 per round. A high-level committee should be constituted to eradicate the illegal problem forever. An official source at the mining department said that the delay in auctioning the lease of sand blocks has also increased prices in the grey market. At present, all the leases in Sawai Madhopur and Bhilwara are non-operational, and the only supply is from Tonk. Since traders are not able to provide timely supply as per the demand, there is a crisis. With no immediate relief, middle-income groups have postponed the construction of their houses due to the crisis. Ankur Tiwari, a resident of Vaishali Nagar, said, Bajri is an essential part of construction. As there is a disruption in supply, I have cancelled my plan to construct a house. I will plan once the rates stabilise.

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

JNPA Becomes First Indian Port to Cross 10 Million TEU Capacity

The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), located at Uran in Navi Mumbai, has become the first port in India to achieve over 10 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) in container handling capacity.With the recent expansion, the port now operates five container terminals with a combined capacity of 10.4 million TEUs, alongside two liquid and two general cargo terminals.Handling more than half of India’s container traffic, JNPA processed 7.05 million TEUs in 2024 and has moved 15.39 million tonnes of containers and 16.64 million tonnes of total cargo in the first two months of FY 2025â..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Nod for Rs. 36.26 billion Expansion of Pune Metro Line 2

The Union Cabinet has approved the Rs.36.26 billion expansion of Pune Metro Line 2, adding 12.75 km of track and 13 new stations to improve east–west connectivity across the city.The project aims to link Pune’s urban core with rapidly growing suburbs, supporting the city’s rising demand for efficient and sustainable transport solutions. This expansion is part of Corridor 2 of the Pune Metro and includes two key routes: Vanaz to Chandani Chowk (Corridor 2A) and Ramwadi to Wagholi/Vitthalwadi (Corridor 2B).It will connect residential, IT, and educational hubs in areas such as Bavdhan, Koth..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Assembly begins for ‘Nayak’ TBM on Thane– Borivali Twin Tunnel Project

The assembly of ‘Nayak’, the first of four Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) for the Thane–Borivali Twin Tube Tunnel Project, has commenced at the Thane site. Built by German firm Herrenknecht AG and deployed by Megha Engineering & Infrastructure (MEIL), the TBM marks a key milestone in Mumbai’s ambitious 11.8-km underground road corridor beneath Sanjay Gandhi National Park.The twin tunnels will reduce the Thane–Borivali travel distance by 12 km and decongest Thane Ghodbunder Road. ‘Nayak’, with a 13.2-metre diameter, is designed to bore through challenging geological conditions ..

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?