Govt to undertake, storing, selling of sand at cheaper rates in Tamil Nadu, says CM K Palaniswami

Tamil Nadu government would undertake mining, storing and selling of sand at cheaper rates with an aim to close down all sand quarries operating in three years, Chief Minister K Palaniswami has said.

"Sand quarrying will be completely stopped in the next three years. Government will completely undertake sand quarrying, storing and selling of sand and make it available at cheaper rates," he said.

Palaniswami said the government would urge builders to use an alternative to sand. Illegal sand mining has led not only to a fall in water level in river beds and basins, but also affected flow of rivers across the state.

The failure of both South West Monsoon and North East monsoon and overexploitation of available groundwater for both residential and commercial purposes have only exacerbated the problem.

The chief minister said steps would also be taken to improve the water table in Tamil Nadu. "We also working on improving the water table in the state," he said, but did not elaborate. The chief minister was here to participate in various programmes, including inauguration of some bridges.