Tamil Nadu Plans to Reopen 10–12 River Sand Quarries After 2.5 Years to Ease Construction Material Shortage

Tamil Nadu is preparing to reopen 10 to 12 river sand quarries after nearly two-and-a-half years in a move aimed at improving the availability of construction materials and supporting the state’s growing infrastructure and real estate sectors.

The proposed decision comes as the government looks to address concerns over the supply of natural river sand, which has remained constrained since quarrying operations were suspended following enforcement actions. Limited availability has increased dependence on manufactured sand (M-Sand) and plastering sand (P-Sand), while also contributing to higher material costs for construction projects.

According to officials, the selected quarries are expected to resume operations after obtaining the required environmental and regulatory clearances. The government is also likely to introduce strict monitoring mechanisms to ensure sustainable mining practices and prevent illegal extraction.

Industry stakeholders have welcomed the proposal, saying that the reopening of river sand quarries could improve the availability of construction materials, stabilise market prices and support ongoing residential, commercial and infrastructure developments across Tamil Nadu. Contractors have repeatedly highlighted that the shortage of natural sand has affected project execution timelines, particularly for projects requiring specific grades of river sand.

Despite the expected resumption of quarry operations, M-Sand and P-Sand are likely to continue playing a significant role in the construction sector. Over the past few years, both materials have become widely accepted alternatives due to improvements in manufacturing quality and increasing adoption across public and private projects.

The reopening of the quarries is also expected to strengthen the state’s construction supply chain at a time when Tamil Nadu is witnessing rising investments in housing, highways, industrial parks and urban infrastructure. A more balanced supply of natural and manufactured sand could help developers manage construction costs while ensuring uninterrupted execution of projects.

If implemented as planned, the move will mark a significant policy shift in Tamil Nadu’s mining and construction materials sector, offering relief to builders and infrastructure developers while balancing resource availability with environmental safeguards.