Spike in prices of cement, sand makes house construction dearer in Vijayawada

Vijayawada: Rise in cement and sand prices increased the burden on common people as they have to spend more money to construct houses. The hike in prices of these two commodities increased the total cost of construction by 10 to 20 per cent.

With sand supplies increasing gradually, the common people are getting some relief with availability of sand. But, they are spending more on construction now. Cement prices suddenly increased by Rs 30 to Rs 100 per bag based on the brand and quality. The buyers have no option but to buy cement at the enhanced price to complete the construction of their homes.

Similarly, sand prices too increased resulting in causing burden to the consumers. Krishna district administration has increased sand reaches and stock points from 5 to 13 in the last one month and supplies have also increased.

Six months ago, truck load of sand was available between Rs 6000 and Rs 8,000. Now, the same truck load of sand costs between Rs 12,000 and Rs 13,000 after the new sand policy was implemented by the government.

The district administration has arranged 13 stock points in various parts of the district. But, the price varies from one place to another. In Vijayawada city and other towns the sand price is more compared to the rural areas. In Vijayawada, the sand costs Rs 12,000 per truck (8 to 10 tonnes).

The government had fixed a price of Rs 850 per tonne at the sand reaches under the constituency limits of Vijayawada Central, Vijayawada East, Vijayawada West and Penamaluru, where construction activity is more compared to the rural areas. Middle class people who are constructing the houses are now worried with increasing cost of construction.

Compounding their problems, the labour charges too have gone up. Lakhs of construction workers had no work for the last five months due to non-availability of sand. Now, with gradual rise of sand supplies, demand for construction workers also increased in the State.

It is estimated that total construction cost may increase between 10 to 20 per cent with the rise of cement and sand prices. Sand prices differ from one area to other. In Tiruvuru and Nandigama, the government had fixed the sand price at Rs 375 and Rs 475 per tonne. In Mylavaram and Jaggaiahpet, the price is fixed at Rs 625 and in Nuzvid Rs 725.

The price of sand has gone up due to labour charges for loading and unloading twice. Initially, the sand is transported from reaches to the stock points. Again, the sand has to be loaded into trucks or tractors and transported to the destination place chosen by the buyer and this process is very expensive, said M Naresh, a builder.

Realtors too are facing the heat of increasing sand and cement prices. If the cost of construction increases, it is difficult to find buyers. Property buyers are aware of the prices and can judge the value of the property. If the cost of construction increases the sale of flats will become a difficult task. Now, common people and realtors are requesting the government to reduce the price of sand so that middle class families can get some respite.