Fix Minimum Sand Price Before Quarry Operations Begin: Lorry Owners Association Tells Tamil Nadu Government

The Tamil Nadu Sand Lorry Owners Association has urged the state government to fix a minimum base price for sand before reopening new government-operated sand quarries across the state. The demand comes at a crucial time when the government has initiated steps to reopen sand quarries in eight locations, including Nanjai Edayaru in Namakkal district, to address the growing demand for construction materials.

According to the association, nearly 75,000 sand lorries once operated across Tamil Nadu, but the closure of government sand quarries over the past two years has left a major impact on transporters. Many lorry owners were unable to repay vehicle loans due to lack of work, forcing them to sell their vehicles. Currently, only around 50,000 lorries remain in operation.

The association’s state president, K. Rajasekar, emphasized during a meeting held in Namakkal that reopening the quarries without proper price regulation could lead to exploitation by middlemen and price fluctuations. He stressed that sand should be sold directly to the public through a transparent online registration system to prevent irregularities and ensure fair access.

He further pointed out that the government should hold consultations with lorry owners and public representatives before determining the sand price. Since many consumers are already using affordable M-sand, an unregulated hike in river sand prices would discourage buyers and negatively affect the construction sector.

The association has also appealed to the government to avoid granting leases to private contractors, which often results in a secondary sales system and inflated prices. Instead, sand distribution should follow an official online platform with real-time tracking, ensuring that registered users receive sand directly without political or administrative interference.

By setting a minimum price structure and direct supply mechanism, the government can balance both affordability for consumers and sustainability for lorry operators. Industry experts believe that a transparent policy will stabilize Tamil Nadu’s construction material market and restore confidence among thousands of workers dependent on sand transportation.