Odisha Government Fixes Sand Price Ceiling, Launches E-Lottery to Curb Illegal Trade

In a major step to curb illegal sand mining and prevent steep price hikes, the Odisha government has introduced a Minimum Sale Price (MSP) for sand across the state. The government has fixed the MSP at ₹340 per cubic metre, directing that sand cannot be sold above this price.

With the new pricing mechanism, the cost of a tractor-load of sand is expected to be around ₹680, bringing significant relief to consumers. At present, in many parts of the state, a single tractor-load of sand is reportedly being sold for ₹2,000 to ₹3,000, placing a heavy financial burden on people undertaking house construction and other small projects.

To ensure affordable sand supply and eliminate illegal practices, the government has also decided to auction more than 100 sand quarries through an e-lottery system in the first phase. Officials believe that the transparent allocation process will reduce illegal mining, prevent cartelisation, and improve the availability of sand at regulated prices.

The government has also taken note of the misuse of sand permits issued for private house construction in several areas. Authorities have been instructed to strictly enforce the permit system and prevent its misuse for commercial purposes.

State Mines Minister Bibhuti Jena said the government would take stringent action against illegal sand mining, black marketing, and overpricing. He expressed confidence that the new measures would ensure sand is available to the public at reasonable rates while bringing greater transparency and accountability to the sand mining and distribution system across Odisha.