Distribution of river sand stopped, allege bodies; PWD denies

CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu State Sand Lorry Owner’s Federation has charged that the Public Works Department (PWD) has stopped online booking for supply of

river sand

for public distribution.


In a memorandum to chief electoral officer Satyabrata Sahoo, the federation’s president, S Yuvaraj, said the online booking for river sand has been stopped from March 22, citing the

Lok Sabha

election. This has affected several labourers employed in ferrying sand. “The government has halted the distribution of river sand to the public on the grounds of parliamentary elections. However, there are no restrictions on the operation of Tasmac shops,” he said.

R Panneerselvam, president of the Federation of Tamil Nadu Sand Lorry Owners Coordination, said the PWD has not been supplying sand since one week. “There are nine depots in the Cauvery belt, besides

Cuddalore

and Villupuram districts. So far, 450 loads of sand were distributed, but it’s been stopped now,” he said. According to him, the PWD was providing sand only to the contractors engaged in public works. “Several builders use river sand as a substitute for m-sand. We are not in a position to supply it,” he said.

Meanwhile, 60,000 tonnes of river sand imported from

Malaysia

is also lying idle at the Ennore Kamarajar port. Official sources said the sand reached the port last week, which was the fifth consignment from the Southeast Asian country, since the government has been sourcing sand from overseas.

However, PWD sources said the supply of sand has not been stopped. “We open the booking on Friday evening at 4pm and allow booking for the quantity scheduled the following week. Every depot is supplying 150 to 200 loads every day,” the official said. The official said booking for imported sand would start by mid April.