The government will be taking proactive measures towards the production of sand, stone, and manganese, Finance Minister Ashni Singh said in his budget presentation on Monday last, adding that it was committed to supporting the growth of sand and stone production in order to keep up with the rapid expansion of the construction sector.
In 2023, sand extraction was carried out at 31 legally operated sites, resulting in an impressive production of over 7.8 million tonnes for the year. This is a significant increase from 2020 when there were only 18 operations producing less than 700,000 tonnes.
These operations have not only expanded, Singh noted, but also included the establishment of strategic stockpiles and increased barging capacity to cater to the intensified developmental efforts occurring nationwide. Moreover, beneficial occupation of sand pit property is being reviewed to ensure that supplies can keep up with the growing demand. In addition, traditional daytime operations have also evolved into 24-hour operations, reducing truck cycle times.
