Police Reinforces Sand Diversion Checks

12 Nov 2024 CW Team

In Andhra Pradesh, law enforcement has intensified efforts to curb the illegal diversion of government-supplied free sand. The state provides free sand to eligible beneficiaries for personal construction purposes, but recent reports have shown that a significant amount of this sand is being illegally diverted for commercial sale. To counter this, Andhra Pradesh’s police force has deployed additional resources to monitor transport routes, checkpoints, and construction sites to detect and prevent such diversions.

Key measures include the establishment of dedicated task forces across districts, with strict scrutiny at entry and exit points of sand mining areas and closer monitoring of sand storage yards. Surveillance cameras and tracking mechanisms are being implemented to ensure transparency and traceability of sand transport from mining sites to end-users. Local authorities have collaborated with the police to perform surprise inspections and regularly verify documentation for sand shipments.

The Andhra Pradesh government has voiced concern over the financial and environmental costs associated with sand diversion. Officials stress that the illicit trade not only undercuts state revenues but also depletes natural resources, affecting river ecosystems. By tightening these checks, the state aims to ensure that only eligible beneficiaries receive the sand, preserving resources for sustainable development.

Public awareness campaigns are also being rolled out to inform citizens about the legal consequences of sand diversion. The state’s renewed vigilance underscores its commitment to combating illegal trade practices and safeguarding construction resources. The measures are expected to significantly deter unauthorized sand trade and ensure a more equitable distribution of resources.

Building Material

11 Dec 2025

Suraj Estate Wins Euromoney Award for India’s Best Residential Developer

"Suraj Estate Developers Limited has received the Euromoney Real Estate Award 2025 for ‘India’s Best Residential Developer’, positioning the company among globally benchmarked leaders in the sector. The recognition reflects its four-decade legacy in delivering high-quality residential and redevelopment-led projects across South Central Mumbai. The Euromoney Real Estate Awards, presented by the London-based Euromoney magazine, are widely regarded as one of the most credible global assessments of performance in real estate, banking and finance. Winners are selected through surveys of inte..

Lloyds Metals, Tata Steel Sign MoU to Explore Strategic Collaboration

"Lloyds Metals and Energy Limited has signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding with Tata Steel Limited to evaluate potential areas of strategic cooperation across mining, logistics, pelletisation and steelmaking. The MoU was signed by B Prabhakaran, Managing Director of Lloyds Metals, and Mr T V Narendran, CEO and Managing Director of Tata Steel. The partnership framework aims to leverage the natural operational synergies between both companies and assess opportunities in greenfield steel projects, iron ore mining, slurry pipeline infrastructure, pellet manufacturing in iron ore–ric..

IndiaAI, Gujarat Govt Host Regional Conclave Ahead of 2026 AI Summit

The IndiaAI Mission under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, along with the Government of Gujarat and IIT Gandhinagar, convened a Regional Pre-Summit Event at Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar. The initiative is part of the build-up to the India–AI Impact Summit 2026, scheduled for 15–20 February 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The conclave brought together senior policymakers, technology leaders, researchers and industry practitioners to examine how AI can accelerate economic, digital and social transformation across sectors. The programme focused on the overarching th..