The prices of manufactured sand (m-sand), plastering manufactured sand (p-sand) and blue metal have shot up in Tiruchi.

The stone and quarry owners in Tiruchi, Pudukottai, Perambalur and Karur districts have effected the change simultaneously. The price revision is the first since the new government assumed office in the State.

M-sand and p-sand are widely used in construction work after the closure of most sand quarries in the Cauvery and the Kollidam in the region in 2017 following an order of the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court. Though a few sand quarries opened during the previous regime, they were subsequently closed in Tiruchi and Karur districts following the simultaneous raids and alleged irregularities found by the Enforcement Directorate officials.

Since then, m-sand and p-sand have turned out to be the only option for the construction industry. The builders and engineers source it from quarries in Karur, Perambalur, and Pudukottai districts. The quarries meet the demand of laying rural and highway roads. Contractors use quarry powder for constructing drains, compound walls and other structures.

According to sources, the price of a lorry load of m-sand (four units) has gone up to ₹20,000 from ₹18,000 at the quarry site. Similarly, the price of one load of p-sand has risen to ₹24,000 from ₹22,000. The price of blue metal inreased to ₹4,000 per unit from ₹3,500. Depending upon the distance, the buyers will have to pay transportation charges from the quarries.