Patna. The government has started new preparations to increase the availability of sand in Bihar and to speed up construction works. The Mines and Geology Department will now identify new potential sand basins in the state. For this, district officials have been instructed to mark the place. It is believed that the opening of new ghats may increase the supply of sand in the market.
New ghats will be decided after survey
After identification of new ghats, site inspection of the concerned areas will be done. After this, the quantity of sand available there will be assessed through geo survey. Based on the report, necessary changes will be made in the district survey report. The government is preparing to identify about 8 to 10 percent new potential ghats.
Mining will not be possible everywhere
The government has said that environment and safety will be given priority in determining new sand ghats. Areas sensitive to river erosion, areas very close to populated areas and places where there is a risk of damage to people or property will be kept out of mining.
Crackdown on illegal mining will also be tightened
There are preparations to strengthen the monitoring system with new ghats. Geo-fencing of sand storage sites and GPS monitoring of transport vehicles will be done. This is expected to help in controlling illegal mining and sand theft.
Preparation for auction after October 15
According to the department, there are preparations to reopen the sand ghats after October 15 and take the auction process forward. The availability of sand may increase with the addition of new ghats. People and businessmen associated with construction work are expected to benefit from this.
Along with increasing the supply of sand, the government also aims to stop illegal mining and increase revenue. However, how much the price of sand will actually go down will become clear only after the new auction and supply increases in the market.