Sand prices in AP have skyrocketed, making life difficult for the common man. The cost of sand per tonne online is ₹375, however, including transportation charges it costs around ₹3600. Unable to bear the brunt consumers are delaying their construction works.
Going round and round
Venkat Reddy from Tadepalli of Guntur District had booked 18 tonnes of sand online. Though the closest sand reach to Tadepalli is in Royyuru, the sand isn’t directly delivered to the consumer from there. Instead the sand from Royyuru and Amaravati reaches are transported to the Pedakakani dumping point via Tadepalli, ironically passing through Venkat Reddy’s residence. Now, the sand is transported back vice versa and then delivered to the consumer charging him additional ₹29000 for 18 tonnes of sand. Not just Venkat Reddy, there are several others who are facing the same issue.
Exploiting customers…
YSRCP leaders who have won sand transport contracts are exploiting consumers in the name of transport charges. While, transport contractors rake in ₹8000 crores per year, the state government makes a profit of ₹1800 crores annually through sand mining.
Inadequate sand supply
Sand scarcity in the state has brought disrepute to the YS Jaganmohan Reddy led state government, with the construction sector in the state facing severe disruption. In order to set things straight, CM Jagan gave a clarion call to curb illegal sand mining and ensure that good quality sand is provided to consumers. However, the authorities do not seem to have taken any action.
Straight from the sand reaches
Sadly, the sand dumping centers which were set up to curb irregularities have become a hub for illegal sand mining. Failure of officials in tackling illegal sand mining has led to a spurt in the activity. Getting sand directly from the sand reaches seems like a distant possibility. The middle classes and lower classes of the society are bearing the brunt of this.
