Explore new potential areas for obtaining sand, gravel: Badal

Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal has ordered formation of committees for exploring the possibility of mining of sand and gravel from various areas excluding Punjab Land Periphery Act (PLPA) in Kandi areas of Rupnagar, Pathankot and Hoshiarpur districts.
Presiding over a high-level meeting here today to streamline the supply of sand and gravel in the state, Badal asked the Chief Secretary to form committees, constituting officers of concerned districts under the Sub Divisional Magistrates, so as to explore the new potential areas from where the sand and gravel could be obtained.
He said that the committees should look for the Kandi area, excluding the PLPA, so that easy availability of these minerals could be ensured.

Badal also asked the Irrigation and Industries departments to explore the feasibility for mining of sand from river bed of Satluj and Beas with draggers in order to meet heavy demand of sand, according to an official release.
He also asked the mining department to issue disposal permits to the Irrigation department during dredging of canals and rivers.
He said the state aims at limiting the price of sand between Rs 600-650 per hundred cubic feet.

The daily demand of sand in the state is about 58,000 tonnes, the release said.
Taking cognizance of reports regarding selling of local sand and gravel to other neighbouring states, the Deputy CM asked the officers to levy heavy tax on vehicles ferrying sand and gravel from Punjab to other states.

Badal directed the department that quarrying of sand and gravel should be accelerated to increase supply in the market so that prices could come down considerably.
The Deputy CM said he would personally monitor the availability of mining material to the general public and review the position after few weeks.
He also instructed the officers of the Industries and Mining department to conduct the reverse bidding of 80 mines by September 20 and fix lower prices to supply sand and gravel at affordable rates.
It was informed in the meeting that these mines would supply about 90 lakh tonnes of sand per annum and would be able to meet the demand and supply chain in the state.

The Mining department officials informed in the meeting that 70 mines were already operational in the state and cases for environmental clearance for additional 150 mines have been submitted to the central government.