The government will take all steps to bring more awareness among the people on using manufactured sand (m-sand) thereby facilitating its 100 per cent use, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami told the Assembly today.
The government was also processing tenders that were floated for import of sand, he said.
Quality certification for '24 m-sand manufacturing units' has been given following inspection by Public Works Department, Palaniswami said in response to a query from N Karthi (DMK) who wanted to know the number of licences provided for such units in the State.
Although phasing out use of river sand for construction purpose was envisaged, the public was unable to immediately switch over to m-sand, he said.
"In the past, m-sand use was only 10 per cent. Due to creation of awareness, now 40 per cent (of consumers) have begun using it. By creating more awareness, government will take all steps for 100 per cent use of m-sand," he said.
Government will liberally provide licences for m-sand manufacturing when the rules are complied with, he said.
The present distribution of river sand to the general public is in accordance with government norms and considering the need for it for construction activities, he said.
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