Ban on sending construction materials: Kerala likely to be exempted, says Vijay

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala may get relief from the ban imposed by Tamil Nadu on transporting materials such as sand, metal and rocks to other states. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay informed Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan that the state would consider exempting Kerala from the restrictions. This was informed during a meeting between the two chief ministers on the sidelines of the Southern Zonal Council meeting held in Mahabalipuram the other day.

V D Satheesan had earlier written to Vijay seeking a reconsideration of the decision. Satheesan had urged the Tamil Nadu government to review the decision, citing Kerala's special circumstances. After their meeting, both sides agreed to hold further discussions on the issue and arrive at an appropriate decision.

The ban was imposed at the end of July. Following the decision, the supply of construction materials such as bricks, rocks and M-sand to Kerala came to a standstill. At the same time, the price of cement from various companies also increased by Rs 10 to Rs 15 per bag, with the price reaching as high as Rs 480 per bag.

The district authorities in Kanyakumari had reduced the number of passes issued to lorries transporting rocks and other materials to Kerala. Kerala's lorry owners and workers staged protests against the move, but there was no relaxation in the restrictions. The ban was imposed citing an increase in accidents involving tipper lorries.