Govt seeks to encourage use of Robo sand in construction

Hit by acute shortage of sand supply for the construction sector in Andhra Pradesh, the state government is looking forward to encourage use of Robo sand, a natural sand substitute for use in the construction sector. Manufacturers believe that this sand is an efficient substitute for the river sand.

The state government is in the process of streamlining sand quarrying and prevent its indiscriminate use. Robo sand, manufactured in the stone quarries, it is a substitute for the river sand used in construction.  

Addressing a press conference here today, Ms Galla Aruna Kumari, State Minister for Mines, said the Government is working onmodalities to regulate sand quarrying and its use, in the backdrop of recent developments including the observations made by the Supreme Court on sand quarrying.

Andhra Pradesh has about 274 stone quarries of reasonable size and 2,500 other small crushing units. It requires an investment of Rs 3 crore to set up a unit for Robo sand, according to estimates.