Dream of Owning a House Turns Costly as Sand Prices Soar

The price of sand in the state has risen drastically within a month. The sand which was available at Rs 11 and Rs 13 per foot before June 15, has now become Rs 18 to 20 per foot. It has been told that 800 feet of sand comes in a Hiva. Apart from sand, the price of red brick has also increased by 20-30 paise. Similarly, ballast has also become expensive. It is known that the Mineral Department closed the sand ghats on June 15 and banned the excavation and transportation of sand. Even before the ban, sand was stored on a large scale in the entire state, in which illegal sand was also stored.

The Mineral Department and the district administration took action for show, but the supply of sand from the storage continues even today. The state's Balodabazar district is receiving the most complaints of illegal excavation, transportation and illegal storage of sand. Similarly, there are complaints of supply of sand from illegal storage from Mahasamund and Dhamtari districts. Some illegal storages were confiscated under Arang block in Raipur district. Sand has been gradually sold from there too. Common consumers are quite upset due to the increase in sand prices. Usually during the rainy season, plastering work is done for internal construction work, for which sand is needed. Apart from this, sand is also required for tiles and other works, currently the cost of construction work has also increased due to the increase in the price of sand, due to which common consumers are upset.