BANGALORE: The State government has blamed strict environmental regulations on sand mining for scarcity of sand for construction works.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is likely to chair a meeting of officials of the Public Works, Mines and Geology and other Departments on Monday to address all aspects of sand mining.
According to the new sand mining policy, an approval from the Ministry of Environment and Forests is mandatory if the proposed mining block is above 50 acres.
However, if it is below 50 acres, then an approval from the State Environmental Impact Assessment Authority is required. Speaking to Express, Public Works Department Minister H C Mahadevappa admitted that construction activities have taken a hit due to non-availability of sand. He said PWD, which has been authorised to oversee mining and sale of sand in the State, has identified several mining blocks to meet the demand. Sand mining can start in the identified blocks only after getting the environment clearance, he said.