KOCHI: With river sand getting dearer due to scarcity and the government imposing stringent restrictions on its mining, granite powder is gaining more popularity.
Granite powder, which is otherwise known as MSand, is a good substitute for river sand and can help cut down the cost of construction considerably, said a source from Bharat Rock Powder, Manjapra, Angamali.
The supplier company, which has its own crusher plants, sells crusher sand at the rate of Rs 17 per cubic foot. The cost will vary depending on factors like the variation in fuel prices and electricity charges. The crusher sand is slightly coarse and is used for building blocks and plastering purposes while the finer version of it is used for concreting.
Sakti Sand Products, Kalady, is concentrating on the supply of MSand, not the coarser variety.
The cost is about 27 per cft. The demand for MSand is constantly increasing and it is sometimes difficult to meet the demand, a source at the dealer said.
Roshan Lal Jain and Sons, Aluva, is an agency involved in supply of crusher machines of different sizes ranging from 12/7 (Rs 4 lakh), 20/12 (8 lakh). Sources at the dealer said that they mainly catered to clients in Tamil Nadu.
Demands from local crushers were not high as the state used mainly river sand and only very rarely crusher sand. However, no study has been made on the effectiveness of the substitute, they say, and only time can tell.
On the other hand, another developer is of the opinion that they use river sand only because people are prejudiced against substitutes. In fact crusher sand is a very good substitute for river sand as there is no salt content in it, which is harmful for construction.
kochi@epmltd.com