Govt draws flak for sand scarcity in Amaravati

Amaravati: Even one month afterunveiling sand policy in the State, the sand scarcity is continuing. It has pushed the real estate sector into deep crisis. The government introduced the policy on September 5, exactly a month ago. Still, the government has been struggling to ensure proper supply of sand and give confidence among stakeholders in the market.

Initially, it opened more than 100 sand reaches and about 50 stockyards in the State. At present the website https://sand.ap.gov.in has been showing that there are 75 stockyards in the state. Consumers have to apply for orders on the website only.

The State government has been maintaining this website for Sand Sale Management & Monitoring System (SSMMS).

The continuous floods in major rivers, apathetic attitude of the officials concerned in launching mining in patta lands are also some of the reasons attributed for the pathetic situation in the State.

At present, the floods in the rivers receded, but the authorities did not take proactive steps to provide sand to the public. It is worth mentioning here that Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy cautioned the officials during the recent review meeting also and directed them to provide sufficient sand in the market.

In fact, the Chief Minister has been time and again directing the officials to take all necessary measures. Opposition parties, including TDP, BJP, Jana Sena, CPI and others, arealleging that the illegal excavation and sales of sand became rampant across the State.

Artificial scarcity of sand gave an opportunity to the illegal excavation and sales of sand, observed TDP MLC Dokka Manikya Varaprasad. Vijayawada-based realtor VV Narasaiah, who is also a member in the National RealEstate Developers Council (Naredco) stated that the real estate sector in the State became most vulnerable after the new government was formed by the YSRCP. He explained that two main reasons for this included lack of clarity on the development of the capital city in Amaravati and insufficient availability of sand.

In addition to it, the State government's increase in the land registration value was another cause for setbacks in the real estate sector. He further said the construction activities in the Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA) area came to a grinding halt. Majority of the realtors have been migrating to Telangana, particularly to Hyderabad, where they have been finding at least some assured market.

Narasaiah further added that the real estate companies in the capital area have been only selling the already constructed apartments and developed ventures, but no one is daring to start a new work here.

He observed that unless the State government would take appropriate action and give confidence to stakeholder, the sector will face further trouble in near future.