Sand transporters' stir will affect construction works, fear builders

The current sand transporters strike will jeopardise several ongoing construction projects in the City if it is not brought to a swift resolution, fear builders.

According to Credai (Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association of India) Secretary Suresh Hari, hundreds of projects being carried out in the City may come to standstill if sand is not supplied on time. “For now there is enough stock piled up to cater to the exisiting construction work. But if the sand lorry strike continues for another week, it will affect upcoming projects,” he added. He said that while robo sand is a good alternative, it is not being manufactured in quantity.

The sand lorry strike entered its fourth day on Tuesday following stalemate between the transporters and the government. Chief Secretary Kaushik Mukherjee claimed that the existing sand policy framed by the government is reasonable and there will be no changes made. “We cannot keep changing rules as and when sand lorry owners go on strike.  We need to safeguard environment too and the policy in being implemented on the same lines.  We are not harassing anyone here, but just following the rules,” he explained. Stating the government will not be approaching the striking owners to end the deadlock, Mukherjee said he would oblige provided the owners came to the negotiating table.

Federation of Karnataka Lorry Owners' Association President B Chenna Reddy said the issue has not been resolved due to the double standards of the government. “The sand policy framed by the government in 2011 says that only government can take up sand mining. But government is unable to meet the demand for sand. Whereas private persons are able to meet the demand. But, most of the private sand mining is conducted by people close to the ministers. Instead of stopping them, we are being targeted and harassed for transporting sand,” he said.