M - Sand -
Manufactured sand is increasingly used in construction activities in Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu) region, especially
since the building sector continues to face shortage in availability of river
sand.
The Kovai region has
many M - Sand plants & builders /
promoters have started using it for lining, plain concrete work, etc.
60 M - Sand plants..!
Mr. R. Krishnasamy,
President, BAI (Builders’ Association of India) Coimbatore Chapter said, ''Though there
is no severe shortage in availability of river sand, it takes 3 days to get a
load of river sand. Construction activities came down in Coimbatore during the
past 3 to 4 months by about 25%, mainly because of high cost of steel &
cement. It can take another 3 months to revive. New projects have slowed down
& only the existing ones continue. So the demand for sand has also
declined"
However, the use of M
- sand in the on-going projects is picking up.
Tamil Nadu has 60 M -
Sand plants & this includes 5 in
Coimbatore, apart from a large number of small - scale uints. M - Sand is also
increasingly used by ready mix concrete manufacturers along with river sand.
Quality Parameters..!
One of the PWD
(Public Works Department) officer said, ''With shortage in availability of
river sand, it has started using M - Sand for a canal lining project in
Udumalpet. M - sand availability is not a problem in the region, and it met the
quality parameters of the department.If availability of river sand remains a
problem, then use of M-Sand will go up so that there is no delay in the
progress of the projects."
It is used in all
construction activities except RCC work.
75% of the Price of
River Sand..!
Mr. C.T. Narayanan,
President, Coimbatore Builders’ and Contractors’ Association, said, ''The M -
Sand cost is almost 75% of the price of river sand. The quality of manufactured
sand should go up & efforts should be taken to standardise the quality. The
demand has increased during the past 2 years and is likely to go up in the
future."
The Tamil Nadu Government should take measures
to ensure its quality & awareness among the public should improve so that
its usage increases.
Src: BL
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