AP government launches free sand policy

The Andhra Pradesh government on Monday issued orders for free supply of sand to the residents of the state. The government has withdrawn the Sand Policy 2019 and 2021 issued by the previous YS Jagan Mohan Reddy government.

The state government has asked district collectors to form a five-member committee at the district level to monitor sand supply. The government has also directed the collector to take over storage points in their district.

The committee consists of the district SP, joint collector and representatives of mines and other departments. Each committee would consist of five senior officers at the district level. The committee would decide on excavation and transport charges for supply of sand.

The state government has directed officials to undertake desilting work in reservoirs, tankers and other water sources across the state. District-level committees would decide where desilting work would be undertaken.

The district committees would fix the price, which would include transportation, loading and excavation work. At the storage points, the committee would also fix the loading and transportation charges, the state government said.

The government has strictly banned the resale of sand except transportation to other states. The government has also banned the use of sand in non-construction works. The government said it will impose heavy fine if anyone is caught misusing sand.

The free sand policy is likely to kick-start real estate and construction in the state. Both sectors have been hit hard in the last five years due to unavailability of sand.