Maharashtra government revises base rates under sand extraction policy

The Maharashtra government has approved a revised sand policy that resets royalty rates and transitions river and creek-bed sand sales to district-level online auctions with a two-year validity. Sand sourced from mine overburden and other minor minerals will have lower fixed rates.

This policy aims to curb illegal extraction and combat the sand mafia while providing a free sand quota to individuals constructing homes for personal use. Additionally, it tightens quality norms for manufactured sand. Sand pricing is directly linked to construction costs across the state.