Sand scarcity: Construction activity takes a big hit

Vijayawada: Utter chaos has prevailed in the capital region of Amaravati in the construction sector due to non-availability of sand for the past few months. Construction workers are staging protests demanding that the government supply the sand and ensure that construction activities is resumed.

On the one hand, lakhs of construction workers are suffering as the construction activity came to a grinding halt. On the other hand, small and big contractors, realtors and developers too are suffering due to non-availability of sand in the capital region.

Works worth several hundred crores of rupees, which are underway in the capital region of Vijayawada, Guntur, Mangalagiri and Tadepalli, have come to a halt. Many developers entered into contract with the landowners for construction of apartments and works worth several hundred crores of rupees are underway. It is not known when these works will be completed.

A truck load of sand is being sold at Rs.20,000. Earlier, the same truck load of sand was sold for between Rs5,000 and Rs.7,000. Many developers entered into agreement with landowners on construction of apartment flats on sharing basis.

Now, some developers are rethinking if taking up new projects due to non-availability of sand. There is a possibility the agreement may be cancelled by the parties before starting the works due to non-availability of the sand.

In Krishna and Guntur district, the sand is extracted from the sand quarries on the banks of Krishna river. Flood water has not receded from the sand quarries in the two districts. So, the district administration is facing an uphill task of supplying sand.

On the other hand, the building workers unions and the Opposition parties have alleged that the government has failed toaddress the sand problem and not taken measures to supply adequate quantities of sand.

R Satish, a developer and builder in Bhavanipuram area, said he would cancel the agreements he signed with a landowner for construction of apartment if the sand problem is not addressed very soon.

He said the cost of constructionhas increased due to delay of works. He said the bank interest rate is around 16 percent and the administrative expenses would rise further if the project construction works are delayed due to non-availability of sand.

Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association of India (CREDAI) AP Chapter chairman A Siva Reddy admitted that there is problem in the construction sector due to non- availability of sand.

He said due to floods the government is not able to supply the sand in adequate quantity. Siva Reddy said naturally the cost of construction would increase if the project works are delayed.

P Narasimha Rao, General Secretary of Andhra Pradesh Building and other construction workers Union, demanded that the government immediately open 250 quarries and supply sand to meet the requirements of the construction sector in the State.

He said nearly 30 lakh construction workers are rendered jobless. He said there is total confusion in the construction sector due to failure of the government to supply sand to meet the requirements of the construction sector.