Builders Association of India (BAI) has welcomed the decision of the Ministry of Environment and Forests to lift the ban on sand mining in Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg in Maharashtra.
“The announcement made by Mr Jairam Ramesh, Union Minister for Environment and Forests, gives the construction industry a significant relief, which is bound to help in realising some of the major infrastructure and housing projects planned by the government itself,” the BAI's President, Mr Cherian Varkey, said in a statement here.
“We hope that the Minister would consider relaxing such a ban in Thane and Raigad districts at least for a period of two years since transporting sand from Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg to Mumbai covering a distance of over 400 km, would add to the cost of construction, which is already very high,” Mr Varkey said.
Welcoming the sops given for development of buildings with green norms, Mr Anand Gupta, Treasurer, BAI, said “If the government initiates steps to set up water treatment, sewage water treatment and waste water treatment plants in the government buildings, including Mantralaya and municipal headquarters, it would stand as an example for other buildings to implement such projects.”