The state government appears to be rekindling its interest in tapping into the vast sand reserves nestled within its rivers and reservoirs. However, despite potential economic gains, little action has been taken to leverage this resource effectively.

A newly formed committee led by the Law Secretary has been tasked to review the 2001 Act governing sand extraction from rivers. Rampant illegal sand mining often supported by influential figures including politicians and law enforcement has flourished while authorized operations face obstacles.

The committee's focus includes examining amendments aligned with environmental guidelines to ensure responsible sand extraction practices. An ongoing sand audit of 32 rivers has revealed substantial deposits in 17 estimated to yield around three lakh tons of sand potentially meeting the state's needs for three years.

Unfortunately, previous opportunities to salvage sand like during the 2018 flood were missed, resulting in valuable deposits going to waste. The lack of foresight and implementation has hindered the government from capitalizing on this resource exacerbating the state's sand scarcity and escalating prices.

The current discussions suggest that sand mining from rivers might commence within a year after due process, offering a long-term remedy to the state's acute sand shortage and potentially stabilizing inflated sand prices. Moreover, extracting sand from reservoirs, where silt accumulation has shrunk storage capacity could offer a substantial solution without requiring legislative changes.

However, while the focus remains on river-based sand extraction, the issue of accumulated sand in reservoirs, previously mentioned in a state budget proposal remains unaddressed. This oversight has contributed to reduced storage capacities forcing multiple dam openings even during moderate rainfall.

The government's contemplation of sand mining in rivers marks a potential turning point in resolving the state's sand scarcity. Yet, it's imperative to expand this initiative to include the untapped sand reservoirs offering a comprehensive solution to the crisis.