Maharashtra on Tuesday approved the state’s Sand Excavation and Disposal Policy 2025 which will have the provision of up to 5 brass (approximately 14 cubic meters) of free sand to beneficiaries of government housing schemes across the state.
The policy was approved in a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
As per the new policy, sand from rivers and creeks will no longer be extracted and sold through the existing online depot system. Instead, it will now be done through a transparent auction process.
Recognising the environmental importance of natural sand and its growing scarcity, the policy also emphasises the promotion of artificial (manufactured) sand. Initially, the use of artificial sand will be made mandatory in 20 per cent of all government and semi-government construction projects.
This requirement will be gradually increased to 100 per cent over the next three years.
As per the new policy, following environmental clearance, all sand clusters in a sub-divisional area will be brought together for a single e-auction.
These auctions for riverbed sand clusters will have a validity of two years. For creek sand clusters, the Maharashtra Maritime Board will conduct e-auctions with a three-year validity period.
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Importantly, 10 per cent of the sand extracted from each cluster will be reserved to provide up to 5 brass of sand free of charge to beneficiaries of housing schemes.
Sand from non-auctioned clusters — including rivers, streams, and canals that either do not fall under central guidelines or haven’t received environmental clearance — will be made available for government housing beneficiaries, villagers for personal and community work, and farmers for constructing their own wells.
Some sand clusters will be reserved for traditional, small-scale excavation methods like the hatpati-dubi technique. These will be allocated through a non-tender, permit-based system.
In the event of floods or other natural causes that deposit sand on farmland, the sand will be removed to restore the land’s agricultural viability.
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The policy also sets charges for sand derived from overburden in central and state government mines: Rs 200 per brass for sand and Rs 25 per brass for other minor minerals.
Monitoring of imported sand from other states will be tightened. Illegal sand transport by tractor will attract a fine of Rs 1 lakh.
The 2023 and 2024 state policies that governed depot-based sand extraction, transportation, and sale were thoroughly reviewed by a committee led by the Divisional Commissioner of Nashik.
Based on their report, a draft of the new policy was created and opened for public suggestions. After reviewing 191 objections and recommendations, the final version of the policy was presented and approved in the Cabinet meeting.