Assam govt fails to regulate price of stone chips and sand
Concrete

Assam govt fails to regulate price of stone chips and sand

The Assam government has failed to resolve the issue of alarming scarcity of forest products as costs of stone chips and sand in the city are rising with every passing year.

There has been a 30% rise in the costs of stone chips and sand in Guwahati every year, which is anticipated to rise further as the State government has not been able to solve the issue yet.

According to the source, Assam Forest Department said that it will take some time before construction materials like stone chips, sand, and filling earth are available, due to which construction materials are not easily available in Guwahati, adding that costs will keep increasing until then.

According to the source, in 1977, permission for extracting sand and stone chips in the region was controlled under Assam Coups & Mahal Rules, 1977.

In 1994, the Assam Minor Mineral Concession Rules came into force according to which only minor minerals could be obtained, after receiving proper permissions from the State government.

Permission for extracting minor minerals could be given only through a competitive bidding process, as per a judgment of the Supreme Court (SC) of India in 2012.

According to the Assam Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 2013, a permit could be given only for two years and mostly availed by State government departments for their construction activities officially.

Guwahati is dependent on Meghalaya for stone chips at present. The real estate industry in Assam is suffering a distressing situation due to the severe scarcity and unabated cost increase of sand and stone chips which are the basic ingredients of concrete mortar.

Image Source


Also read: TN construction body urges state to regulate bldg material prices

The Assam government has failed to resolve the issue of alarming scarcity of forest products as costs of stone chips and sand in the city are rising with every passing year. There has been a 30% rise in the costs of stone chips and sand in Guwahati every year, which is anticipated to rise further as the State government has not been able to solve the issue yet. According to the source, Assam Forest Department said that it will take some time before construction materials like stone chips, sand, and filling earth are available, due to which construction materials are not easily available in Guwahati, adding that costs will keep increasing until then. According to the source, in 1977, permission for extracting sand and stone chips in the region was controlled under Assam Coups & Mahal Rules, 1977. In 1994, the Assam Minor Mineral Concession Rules came into force according to which only minor minerals could be obtained, after receiving proper permissions from the State government. Permission for extracting minor minerals could be given only through a competitive bidding process, as per a judgment of the Supreme Court (SC) of India in 2012. According to the Assam Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 2013, a permit could be given only for two years and mostly availed by State government departments for their construction activities officially. Guwahati is dependent on Meghalaya for stone chips at present. The real estate industry in Assam is suffering a distressing situation due to the severe scarcity and unabated cost increase of sand and stone chips which are the basic ingredients of concrete mortar. Image Source Also read: TN construction body urges state to regulate bldg material prices

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Thanjavur to Turn Garbage Dump into Eco-Park Under CITIIS 2.0

The Thanjavur City Corporation plans to convert its 28-acre garbage dump at the Chekkadi compost yard into an eco-park under the CITIIS 2.0 programme by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. The project involves bio-capping around 2 lakh cubic metres of legacy waste at an estimated cost of $3.6 million. This will include leveling mounds, adding soil layers, and installing systems to prevent groundwater contamination. A Waste Processing Facility (WPF) worth $2.4–$3.6 million will also be established to handle non-biodegradable waste. Additionally, 12 existing and six proposed mic..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Ceigall India Secures $111 Million Contract for Ludhiana Bypass

Infrastructure company Ceigall India Ltd has secured a significant contract from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for the development of a six-lane greenfield southern Ludhiana bypass. The company received the Letter of Award (LOA) on March 13, 2025, according to a stock exchange filing. The project, part of the Ludhiana-Ajmer Economic Corridor, involves developing a 25.24 km stretch from NH44 near Village Rajgarh to the Delhi-Katra Expressway (NE 5) near Village Ballowal. Awarded under the Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM), the project's estimated cost is approximately $104 million, ..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

J&K Plans New Srinagar-Pahalgam Road to Boost Tourism

The Jammu & Kashmir Public Works (R&B) Department has announced plans to construct an alternative road from Srinagar to Pahalgam via Khrew, Wahab Sahib, Syedabad (Pastuna), Karmula Tral, and Lehndajan. The new route is expected to reduce the travel distance between Srinagar and Pahalgam by approximately 30 kilometers, enhancing connectivity and promoting tourism in the lesser-explored upper regions of Tral. The project was discussed in response to a Starred Assembly Question raised by MLA Pampore, retired Justice Hasnain Masoodi. The Minister Incharge highlighted that the initiative would boo..

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?