M-Sand and Black Stone Prices Beyond Control: Mineral Resources Department Responds in High Court

In Tamil Nadu, M-Sand has emerged as a critical substitute for river sand in construction due to the dwindling availability of natural sand. Over the past few years, its usage has surged across residential, commercial, and infrastructure projects. M-Sand is manufactured by crushing black stones in industrial units, but rising production costs and other factors have led to increasing prices.

Recently, the Tamil Nadu Sand and M-Sand Lorry Owners’ Unified Welfare Association filed a case in the Madurai branch of the High Court, urging the government to regulate the prices of construction materials, including M-Sand and black stone gravel. The petition highlighted the impact of rising material costs on construction work and urged authorities to intervene.

Following the court directive, district collectors and officials from the Mineral Resources Department submitted their response. The department clarified that the cost of M-Sand is influenced by multiple factors, including production expenditure, electricity usage for crushing and processing stones, handling, storage, transportation, GST, and reasonable profit margins. These variables differ across regions, making it impractical to impose a uniform price control.

While the government can regulate illegal mining and unauthorized production or sale of M-Sand, controlling its market price is not feasible under the current legal framework. The Mineral Resources Department emphasized that the pricing of raw materials, such as black stones, remains under the government’s authority, but enforcing price controls on finished M-Sand involves challenges beyond administrative capability.

R. Panneerselvam, President of the Tamil Nadu Sand and M-Sand Lorry Owners’ Unified Welfare Association, responded to the department’s statement, suggesting that a detailed study of M-Sand regulations could reveal ways to moderate prices. He argued that government intervention on raw material costs could indirectly reduce M-Sand prices, benefiting both builders and the construction sector.

As the High Court continues to examine the case, the issue highlights the ongoing tension between regulatory limitations, rising construction costs, and the demand for affordable building materials. With construction activity picking up across Tamil Nadu, finding practical solutions for price stability remains a critical challenge for policymakers and industry stakeholders alike.