Draft Sand Extraction Policy 2025 Published for Suggestions and Objections

Mumbai : The government has proposed modifications to the comprehensive policy on sand excavation, storage, and online sales, originally issued on February 16, 2024, and the sand extraction policy for agricultural lands, dated March 15, 2024. These policies have now been superseded, and the Draft Sand Extraction Policy 2025 has been released for public objections and suggestions.

Stakeholders wishing to submit their objections, suggestions, or feedback regarding the draft policy can do so via the official website https://mahakhanij.maharashtra.gov.in or by emailing deskkha1-sandpolicy@mah.gov.in by Friday, February 7, 2025, 5:00 PM. Submissions received after this deadline will not be considered, as per the Revenue Department’s notification.

Key Highlights of the Proposed Policy Amendments:

• To ensure easy and affordable access to sand for local use and housing, sand blocks within Gram Panchayat limits that are not designated for auction and those without environmental clearance will be permitted for manual extraction.
• Local individuals engaged in traditional sand extraction businesses will be allowed to extract sand using the hand-cart and bucket method without an auction-based license.
• Sand accumulated on private agricultural lands due to natural or other reasons may be extracted to restore cultivable land.
• To address the shortage of natural sand, the policy encourages the use of artificial sand in concrete construction.
• Sand extraction from environmentally approved river and estuary sand blocks will be carried out through an auction-based system.
• Sand obtained from overburden material in large mines will also be utilized.

During 2023-2024, the government attempted to distribute sand through depot-based sales, but faced challenges. The revised policy aims to incorporate the strengths and limitations of both depot and auction-based systems to create a comprehensive sand extraction policy.

The official government circular is available on www.maharashtra.gov.in.