Team Herald
PONDA: Ban on sand extraction in the State has led to the use of imported sand in construction activities across Goa, real estate as well as government projects. However, locals are not convinced with the quality and are questioning the durability of the construction.
Despite the annual ban period on sand extraction concluded on September 30, sand availability in the State is scarce. After the NGOs approached the High Court regarding environmental degradation due to excessive sand mining in Goan Rivers, ban on sand mining has been extended in the State by the Directorate of Mines and Geology.
Government has informed the High Court that it is in the process of examining various aspects such as fulfillment of environmental conditions before granting or renewing the licences of sand extractors in Goa.
Due to the scarcity of local sand, prices of sand have been skyrocketing and led to transportation of sand from neighbouring states as well as sand imports in large quantities. The most commonly imported sand being used in construction activities in the State is Malaysian sand. But locals have questioned the durability of the construction work with Malaysian sand.
Compared to local sand, Malaysian sand is cheaper. It is available at the rate of Rs 24000 for 10 cubic meters of a loaded truck, while local sand brought from Karnataka or Maharashtra is priced at Rs 30000 – 35000 10 cubic meters.
Currently the Sewerage Department has brought heaps of Malaysian sand to use in the construction of sewage chambers in Upper Bazaar. Locals have expressed doubt about durability and the strength of the structures.
Pandurang Naik, a mason working at another construction site said “From my several years of experience, natural sand and sand created by crushing gravel is different. Natural sand remains rough, while obtaining Malaysian sand is obtained by crushing gravel. I have my doubts that it will weaken the construction in future affecting long durability.”
Mahesh Naik, an official at the sewerage project site, informed that the Malaysian sand is being brought from South Goa and the same is being used in the large construction projects such as the bridges, underway in the State. “It is tested for the strength of the structure”, he added.
PWD Minister Sudin Dhavalikar too said that the gravel based Malaysian sand has been tested and approved for use.
