MADURAI:The State government will take over sand distribution from quarries operating under it, Chief Minister ‘Edappadi’ K Palaniswami announced in Madurai on Friday. “Several sand quarries operate in the State under the government. The government would completely take over sand distribution in the State and the operations of load contract (filling sand in lorries) and stock yard would be done under government supervision. This is being done to control the price of sand as requirements are increasing day by day,” the Chief Minister added.
Stating that the sand in water bodies would help increase the amount of groundwater, Palaniswami said: “Those building houses and those in the construction industry should switch to using m-sand (manufactured sand) step by step. As the State receives poor rainfall, only with sand in water bodies will we be able to save water. Hence, sand mining in the State would be ended within two-three years.”
The Chief Minister also announced an additional fund of Rs 100 crore for drinking water supply in the State and said an additional Rs 300 crore would be allotted this year for the Kudimaramath scheme, to desilt waterbodies for water storage.