M-sand production to be doubled shortly in Karnataka: Minister

Mines and Geology Minister Vinay Kulkarni has stated that the production of manufactured sand (M-sand) in the state would be doubled in a couple of months and it alone would meet the total demand of 23 lakh cubic metres of sand in the state.

He told mediapersons here on Wednesday that the production of M-sand has been increased from eight lakh cubic metres to 12 lakh cubic metres recently, while six lakh cubic metres of sand is being extracted from rivers.

A total of 98 M-sand plants are operating in the state at present and 68 more plants would be started in two-three months. Meanwhile, the government would offer 10 acres of land to existing M-sand plants to double their production. The price of M-sand would be 50% less compared to the price of river sand. Instructions have been given to use maximum M-sand in government works also, he said.

The minister said quality testing laboratories would be strengthened to ensure the production of good quality M-sand and awareness programmes would also be organised to popularise its uses. “Once the production of M-sand reaches the level of meeting the total demand of sand, we can think about banning extracting sand from river beds, which would also help environment protection,” he added.