Construction activity has almost come to a standstill in Visakhapatnam city and other parts of the district as well due to sand scarcity for the past few months. In the wake of the AP High Court's order imposing a blanket ban on sand quarrying, it has become a scarce commodity. The off-take of steel and cement also has suffered.

Mr K. Jagannadham, a builder, says, “The prices of cement and steel have come down, but we are not able to take advantage of it, as sand has become scarce.” Sand can be obtained from neighbouring states. But not many are keen on doing so because of the steep increase in price. A truckload of sand that cost around Rs 12,000 has spiralled to Rs 25,000 to Rs 30,000. But even at that price, one is not assured of getting the commodity.

According to Mr B. Raja Srinivas, the president of Confederation of Real Estate Developers' Associations of India (Visakhapatnam chapter), work on at least 5,000 apartment complexes has come to a standstill. Builders usually maintain supervisory and administrative staff and construction work is given on piece-rate contract. Now, since there is no work, the contractors will not pay the labourers.

He said alternative materials like crushed sand, crusher dust and fly-ash should be used. In other States, he said, builders were experimenting with such materials. The authorities should also ensure sand supply and there should be consistent, well-thought-out policies so that such a situation may not arise again. “It is not good for anyone if construction activity is halted for want of an important ingredient,” he said.

Related Topics
comment COMMENT NOW