Reporter’s diary: ‘Secret’ behind the reopening of sand quarries

This was revealed during an informal chat with an official. The outspoken officer attached to the department was busy checking the trend of the stock exchange that day when the reporter arrived at his office. He informed her that he was waiting for the rupee value to improve. He went ahead and said, “We are planning to book a consignment of river sand from Malaysia today. Before that, I wanted to check the rupee’s value so that the public money can be saved in a way.”

The official admitted that he was carrying out the routine exercise once a week. He has been involved in this process for the past six months. “We wanted to provide uninterrupted supply of river sand. Some people use only river sand for construction purposes. The department is catering to the needs of those people,” he said. He said that resuming sand quarrying in the State was very remote. “We have over-exploited our resources. I am doubtful about sustaining the imports too. This is also temporary and will meet an end in the future,” he said.

There is no other alternative but to use the M-Sand. “Our neighbouring states have started using M-Sand long back. This is the future. The shift will be easier if people accept these changes without any delay.”