THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi, March 28: The skyrocketing price of sand in Jharkhand has triggered outrage, with opposition leader Babulal Marandi slamming the state government for allowing an organized illegal trade to flourish. He accused a powerful nexus—including politicians, mining mafias, transporters, and officials—of looting the public through black marketing and unauthorized tolls.
Ninefold Price Surge Over Just 60 km
Sand for construction in Ranchi is primarily sourced from Silli, Bundu, and Sonahatu. According to Marandi, when sand leaves the ghat, it costs around ₹5,000, but by the time it reaches Ranchi, the price soars to over ₹45,000. He called this sharp increase “no coincidence” but rather the outcome of a well-organized illegal business.
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Only 31 Out of 440 Sand Ghats Operate Legally
Marandi revealed that out of approximately 440 sand ghats in Jharkhand, only 31 are legally operated. As a result, the common people are forced to buy sand at exorbitant rates while those involved in the racket continue to profit. He alleged that heavy bribes are collected from the public at multiple levels—starting from illegal tolls at sand ghats to unauthorized fees during transportation.
Call for Enforcement Directorate Action
Urging immediate action, Marandi demanded that the Enforcement Directorate dismantle this illegal sand trade, estimated to be worth thousands of crores. He stressed that cracking down on this racket would not only make sand affordable for the public but also prevent massive revenue losses to the state.
A Long-Standing Crisis: Sand Racket in Jharkhand
The illegal sand trade has been a persistent issue in Jharkhand, with political leaders and activists frequently raising concerns over its impact on both the economy and ordinary citizens. The state has struggled with unchecked mining, corruption in transportation, and the dominance of mafias controlling supply chains. This problem became a key election issue in the last assembly and parliamentary polls, with opposition parties accusing the ruling government of failing to regulate the sector and protect public interest.
In past elections, political parties promised reforms in sand mining and transportation, yet the situation has worsened, with prices soaring and corruption deepening. Despite government claims of curbing illegal mining, sand continues to be transported and sold at inflated rates, hitting the construction industry and common people the hardest.
