Construction activity affected in Nellore

Nellore: New sand policy is giving jitters to consumers. Though two stockyards are established for the supply of sand, the consumers complain non-availability of sand. It may be recalled that the district administration has identified 12 reaches and proposed to establish six stockyards across the district.

In fact, the district administration had made all arrangements for the supply of sand. The AP Miner Development Corporation had identified the reaches. Distribution of sand was to have begun from September 5. But technical problems came in the way of ensuing supply of sand.

The demand for sand is very high in the district and the State government has allocated sand reaches at Minagallu under Butchireddipalem mandal in the district to cater to the needs of consumers in Prakasam and Chittoor districts.

As many 12 reaches are available for the supply of sand. Pottepalem, Jonnawada, Mudivarthi, Viruvuru, Padamati Kambhampadu, and Battepadu are stockyards in the district. But so far, only two stock yards – one at Pottepalem and another at Viruvuru – were set up.

In fact, the construction activity has been severely affected in district due to shortage of sand. Apart from it, consumers have complained of difficulty in making online booking through Mee Seva centres.

The online service is not functioning property most of the times. At some stock yards like Mudivarthi and P Kambhampadu supervisory staff from the APMDC are conspicuously absent to ensure supply of sand.

Labour problems have aggravated the problem. Due to technical issues officials are considering shifting Apparaopalem stockyard to some other place for the convenience of consumers.

Though the State government has fixed price of sand at the rate of Rs 350 a tonne and transport charge for a tractor load at Rs 650, the consumer is forced to pay Rs 2,150 per tractor load of sand. Each tractor load carries 4 tonnes of sand.