CHENNAI: A flawless model of State-controlled sand mining and distribution, functional on a small scale at the Penayoor quarry near Chengalpattu, can be expanded and replicated in other parts of the State, say people in the trade.

But for excavators and crew sourced from private operators, the system is entirely run by Public Works Department personnel with the help of Revenue and Police departments.

How it works

More importantly, cash transactions have been done away with and pay orders drawn in nationalised banks in favour of the jurisdictional Executive Engineers alone are accepted.

The system works like this: pay orders for a sum of Rs. 626 each are drawn from banks and furnished at the quarry site. Stamped receipts are given to lorry operators who then line up near the excavators. After verification, two machines load four scoops of quarried sand each onto the waiting lorries. Eight scoops constitute two units of sand, which is the permissible limit for lorries.

"This is the simplest possible method, involving minimum personnel from the PWD, Revenue and Police Departments," says an engineer. Lorry owners are also happy. They submit pay orders and deal with public servants as against the earlier system of shelling out cash to people indulging in second sale.

However, as only five quarries are being operated now, the demand far exceeds sand availability in Chennai. This results in cost escalation as lorries either travel long distance to find recognised sites or wait at the sites for hours.

Stringent measures sought

"More labourers should be involved and more quarries opened to ensure that Chennai receives its daily requirement of about 6,000 loads," says an operator.

Pressure on these sites will increase if stringent measures are initiated to stop illicit quarrying of sand along dry riverbeds. Creating check-posts and patrol teams in smuggling-prone areas is important to streamline operations, say traders.

River basins are safe in the hands of State agencies as they scrupulously follow the stipulation that sand mining should be restricted only up to three metres.

Though use of machinery is not permissible under the rules, given the expediency of these machines and the growing demand for sand such regulations could be amended, say stakeholders.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail