Latest news with #M-sand
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Time of India
High-speed chase: Cop on bike pursues, boards, secures truck
Chennai: It was a scene straight out of the movies. A hijacked truck speeds down a crowded highway, police personnel on bikes give chase and one of them acrobatically clambers on to the truck and tries to pull out the driver. Finally, after a 10km run, the driver crashes the truck. This actually happened on Tuesday on Trichy-Chennai highway near the Paranur toll plaza. Police said Kamalakannan was driving a truck with M-sand from Chengalpet towards Vandalur when, at the Paranur toll plaza, he found there was insufficient balance in the FASTag account. So, he parked the truck by the roadside and called up its owner, Anbu, a resident of Kelambakkam in Chengalpet. Just then a man lurking near the toll plaza suddenly jumped into the lorry and drove away toward Chennai. Kamalakkannan informed patrolling police teams who via walkie-talkie alerted police stationed at Mahindra City and Singaperumal Koil. They set up barricades, but the truck crashed through and sped away. Policemen gave chase on two-wheelers. One of them climbed on to the speeding truck and tried to pull the suspect out. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Memperdagangkan CFD Emas dengan salah satu spread terendah? IC Markets Mendaftar Undo Eventually, near Maraimalai Nagar railway station, the hijacker crashed the lorry into a roadside barrier in an attempt to escape. Police surrounded and captured him after a brief struggle. Witnesses said they were lucky, no one was hurt during the truck's reckless journey. Police identified the runaway driver as Subash, 35, from Palayamkottai. Police said Subash had been wandering around the Paranur toll plaza for the past two days, apparently mentally unwell. They suspect that the previous night he broke into a nearby temple and stole construction materials. He also reportedly attempted to rob women walking alone in the area. Subash has been sent him to the Institute of Mental Health, Kilpauk, for observation.
The Hindu
17-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Sand lorry federation urges TN government to open river sand quarries and regulate M-sand prices
Tamil Nadu Sand and M Sand Lorry Owners Coordinate Welfare Federation has demanded that the State government must open river sand quarries to resolve scarcity of sand in the State. Federation president said the government must also take measures against overloading of sand lorries beyond the permitted limit that led to frequent accidents and revenue loss to the government. The Federation also demanded that the State government must engage direct sales of M sand through online system. The price of M-sand and other construction materials has gone up owing to shortage of river sand and rising demand. Only 10-20% of the sand demand is being met. Though there are about 4,000 crusher units across the State, only 414 units have obtained quality certification. Some associations, including Tamil Nadu Sand Lorry Owners Association, have announced an indefinite strike from May 23 on similar demands. Noting that the prices of M-Sand and P-Sand have increased since January, he said one unit of M-Sand was sold for ₹6,500 per unit compared to ₹4,500 per unit sold in January. Similarly, P-sand is being sold for a price up to ₹7,500. Moreover, a minimum of 5,000 sand lorry loads were transported to Kerala and Karnataka without proper transit bills. Sand lorry operators also raised concerns over overloading at crusher units without proper transit pass or GST bills, leading to fines or vehicle seizures. The Federation members also recently met Minister for Natural Resources S. Regupathy who has assured them to take action for proper issuance of transit pass and GST bills and also regulate price of M-sand and P-sand.
The Hindu
17-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Rajasthan finalises action plan for M-sand plot auctions to curb illegal mining
In a significant policy move aimed at streamlining construction material supply and curbing illegal mining, the Rajasthan government has finalised an action plan for delineating and auctioning plots designated for manufactured sand (M-sand) units. The decision follows the State's recognition of M-sand units as an industry, extending them official status to encourage investment and development. Principal Secretary (Mines) T. Ravikanth announced on Saturday (May 17, 2025) that 109 plots have been identified under the plan. Of these, 77 plots spanning a total of 158 hectares are earmarked for M-sand units, while 32 overburden dumping plots covering 131 hectares will also be prepared for e-auction. Notably, 26 plots have already been successfully auctioned, aimed at increasing the supply of M-sand for the construction sector. The initiative marks a strategic shift in response to a 2017 Supreme Court directive that imposed a ban on riverbed sand (commonly known as bajri) mining in Rajasthan. The top court had ordered a scientific replenishment study and subsequent clearance from the Ministry of Environment and Forests before any resumption of mining activities. A Central Empowered Committee (CEC) was subsequently constituted to examine the issue of illegal sand extraction. The court's intervention had led to a sharp decline in the availability of legally mined riverbed sand, resulting in a spike in prices and the emergence of a sand mining mafia operating in defiance of environmental norms. Though environmental clearance was eventually granted to 60 mining zones in 2022, the lag in supply had already hampered several infrastructure projects across the State. The new policy on M-sand, which seeks to reduce reliance on riverbed resources, is expected to ease supply bottlenecks and bolster environmental safeguards. It enables investors to establish M-sand units while availing themselves of State-backed incentives and infrastructural support. Officials say the move is also expected to instil public confidence in the quality and utility of M-sand for construction. Addressing officials at a departmental review meeting held at Khanij Bhawan, Mr. Ravikanth emphasised that promotion of legal mining is key to checking illegal extraction activities. He directed the Mines Department to expedite the delineation and auction of mineral plots, including both major and minor categories. In addition, Mr. Ravikanth said that efforts are under way to identify new revenue sources for the department and plug existing leakages. He noted that the auction process for 22 major mineral blocks had already commenced at the beginning of the current financial year.
Time of India
13-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Govt OKs policy on artificial sand
Mumbai: At least 50 individuals or industries will be allowed to set up units for production of artificial sand, aka manufactured sand (M-sand), in a district. While giving the nod to a new sand policy on Tuesday, the state cabinet also approved a subsidy of Rs 200 per brass, as opposed to an earlier royalty of Rs 600 per brass. It cleared a plan for incentives for M-sand production, such as grants, interest subsidies, power charge exemptions and stamp duty waivers. Tnn
