Hundreds of construction works under process in Udaipur have been brought to a halt as a result of the stay by the High Court on Sand mining. Engineers of both the Udaipur Municipal Council and UIT are worried as running projects are being delayed.

According to sources, Bajri, a special type of sand which is mined from river banks and mixed with cement for constructing building, is banned across Rajasthan by the High Court for more than 2 weeks now, which has also forced unemployment among people involved in the related trading business and daily wage labourers.

On the brighter side, as a result of the court’s decision, the eco system of rivers has been saved from getting polluted, while on the other hand, it has also encouraged black marketers to illegally supply the sand.

Anil Nepaliya, Executive Engineer, UIT said, “in the absence of sand, the main sufferer is the common public as work has construction and repair work has come to a halt in public areas and main circles (chaurahas) of the city.

According to the information received from a local businessman, a truck of sand that was earlier available at Rs. 6000 is now being black marketed in as much as Rs. 30,000. On the contrary, infra projects are bearing additional losses of paying interest charges on loans taken from banks.

There are around 5 lac people across the state who are depend on trading and mining of sand.

Shishir Kant Vasheney, Executive Engineer, UMC said, “It is impossible to carry out construction on a site in the absence of sand.”