August 9: The government’s decision to restrict excavation of stones and sand from the riverbanks since last one month has affected market of construction materials.

“Restricting the excavation of sand and stones from riverbanks has also affected the market of factory products like cement, rods, pipes and bricks. Lack of pre-information about such restriction has been creating problems for us,” said Rajesh Keyal, Executive Director of Keyal Group, a well known producer of construction materials. Similarly, Anil Kumar Agrawal, Managing Director of Shree Cement Industries said “The restriction has worsened the situation of construction materials’ market which usually declines during the monsoon.” Agrawal, who is also the Secretary at Birgunj Commerce and Industry, informs that the market of cement has been limited to 20 per cent. “The market has decreased by 80 per cent which is caused due to haphazard policy and direction from the government.

The government has restricted digging of sand and stones from the riverbanks in order to minimise the risks of flood.  The restriction policy has been implemented since last two years which last for two months (Mid-July to Mid-September) each year.  

The District Development Committee usually gives contracts for excavation of sand and. The excavation contract for the current FY will start from September.  

Meanwhile, the government has decided to allow the excavation of sand in places where the sand and stones are piled up due to the flood in order to minimise the constraints in infrastructure works.   However, the local inspection committee has not followed the decision and regulation, although the Central Inspection Committee has directed to provide an alternative so that the development works won’t be affected.