KARIMNAGAR: Telangana Mineral Development Corporation (TMDC) has earned about Rs 159.32 crore from district sand quarries. In order to avoid illegal sand transportation, TMDC started three quarries at Kazipur, Kothapalli and Arepalli in 2015-16, started mining and selling sand for Rs 550 per cubic metre.
TMDC district project officer V Vidyasagar told Express that from these three quarries, which are located in submerging areas of Lower Manair and Mid Manair dams, nearly 29 lakh cubic metres of sand was excavated and sold.
Around 12.53 lakh cubic meters from Kazipur, 10.12 lakh from Kothaplli and 6.3 lakh from Arepalli was sold.
Based on data available, TMDC has earned above the target. For 2015-16, it set a target of Rs 10.15 crore, but earned Rs 159.32 crore.
Buoyed by revenues, TMDC is going to start a fourth quarry at Kodimunja in Vemulawada mandal next financial year.
Meanwhile, by selling limestone, granite and other minerals TMDC earned Rs 113 crore as against Rs 236 crore target for 2015-16 financial year.