Jaipur: Sand remained largely unavailable at affordable rates in Rajasthan even months after the state initiated fresh steps to auction sand mining leases, as the auction process moved at what industry players described as a snail’s pace.The mining dept recently began the process to auction 12 sand mining plots in Jodhpur, Kota, Pali and Nagaur, but stakeholders said multiple procedural hurdles, including environmental clearances and regulatory requirements, slowed the process significantly. Around 200 mining plots were expected to be allotted, but so far fewer than 30 were actually allotted, industry sources said.The issue gained prominence after the Rajasthan high court quashed the state’s 2024 auction of 93 gravel mining leases in four districts and sought an explanation from the state govt on how natural replenishment of sand and gravel would occur after extraction. The court also flagged the absence of a scientific assessment of natural recharge of mined material.A senior official source said, “To start these mining operations, the state govt has moved the Supreme Court and a reply has been filed. However, there has been no relief so far.”Industry representatives said the combined effect of court scrutiny, environmental clearance requirements and procedural delays slowed the operationalisation of legal mining sites, allowing illegal transportation of sand to continue while prices remained high.“Auctions are moving very slowly and even after the process begins, obtaining environmental clearance takes considerable time. As a result, sand is reaching the market through illegal channels and prices remain high,” said a mining sector representative.Market sources said the current price of bajri in several areas rose to Rs 1,350 to Rs 1,500 per tonne, significantly higher than what was projected under the state’s mining policy.Experts also pointed to guidelines approved by the SC through recommendations of the Central Empowered Committee, which required a five year gap after a mining lease expired to allow natural replenishment of riverbed material, along with a scientific study of sand recharge.
