Patna: The Bihar government has directed districts to identify new sand ghats that could be brought under the auction process, as the state seeks to improve the availability of sand for construction activities.
The Department of Mines and Geology has asked district authorities to identify locations where sufficient sand deposits are available but which have not yet been included in the auction process. Officials will subsequently inspect the identified sites before any decision is taken on their inclusion in the District Survey Report (DSR).
How Will New Sand Ghats Be Identified?
According to departmental sources, each district will first prepare a list of potential sand ghats based on the availability of sand.
Teams of officials will then conduct on-site inspections of the shortlisted locations. The assessment will examine the availability of sand and other factors required to determine whether a site is suitable for mining.
Once the inspection process is completed, the findings will be incorporated into the respective district’s DSR wherever necessary.
New Ghats Could Be Added to District Survey Reports
Potential sand ghats found suitable after inspection will be included in the relevant District Survey Reports, according to the department.
Only after the necessary amendments to the DSR are completed can these sites be considered for auction under the applicable rules. The process is therefore expected to involve several stages before new ghats become operational.
The department estimates that the exercise could increase the number of sand ghats available for auction across Bihar by around 10 to 12 per cent.
What Could It Mean for Sand Supply?
The move is aimed at expanding the supply base for sand used in construction.
According to the department, bringing additional suitable ghats into the auction process could increase the availability of sand in the market and help meet demand from construction activities.
However, the actual impact on supply and prices will depend on the number of sites ultimately approved, the auction process and subsequent mining operations.
Government Expects Additional Revenue
The expansion of the auction process could also increase revenue for the state government.
New sand ghats that qualify for auction would provide an additional source of revenue through the regulated allocation of mining rights. However, the department has not yet determined the final number of new ghats that will be put up for auction.
The revenue impact will become clearer after district-level surveys, DSR amendments and the subsequent auction process are completed.
District authorities have been asked to begin identifying potential sand mining sites. Officials will inspect the locations before suitable sites are incorporated into the respective District Survey Reports.
The number of new sand ghats that can ultimately be auctioned will depend on the findings of these inspections and the completion of the required regulatory process.
