Assam has come to Tamil Nadu’s aid, which is facing a scarcity of sand. A group of officials from Tamil Nadu Public Works Department visited the state to survey the possibility of importing sand from the Northeastern state.
Earlier Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal had offered to supply sand for construction purposes to Tamil Nadu, when he visited the state.
“The purpose of the visit is to see the viability of sourcing sand from the northeast state after the State’s Chief Minister had said that Assam was ready to provide sand for us. The team would be visiting the Brahmaputra river and a few other places in Assam,” the official said.
Currently the visit is meant only to look at the resources available in the state. “Sourcing sand from other states involves a lengthy process with several issues that need consideration before a decision,” the official added.
The State Government has reportedly issued a notification that sand can be bought or sold in India only by PWD and no other party. Only PWD can import sand from overseas. The Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association of India (CREDAI) has said that the sand can be transported from Assam through West Bengal and then shipped to Chennai via sea.
Earlier the Madras High Court has ordered closure of all sand quarries in the State for a period of six months.