Ranchi witnessed the auction of 19 Category-2 Sand Ghats on Thursday after a gap of eight years. Conducted through online bidding, the auction saw participation from eight companies, with three major players ultimately bagging all Ghats. Group B, which included key sites such as Erkia, Sumanidih, and Daruara, fetched the highest bid of Rs. 100.47 crores by Esbolus Global Pvt. Ltd. Group A was secured by Nikas Service Pvt. Ltd. for Rs. 80.49 crores, while Samarth Protex Pvt. Ltd. bagged Group C for Rs. 65.30 crorse.
Also Read: Jharkhand High Court Ordered Suspension of All Sand Ghat Auction until PESA Rules Notified
Agreements Await High Court Clearance
Although the auction process is complete, agreements with the winning bidders will be signed only after the Jharkhand High Court delivers its order on 23rd September 2025 regarding the PESA Act-related stay on Sand Ghat allocations. Officials confirmed that despite the auction, Sand extraction will remain halted until 15th October 2025, as per the National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) ongoing ban.
Also Read: Chief Secretary Ordered Timely and Transparent Sand Ghat Auction Across State
Environmental Clearance Still Pending
Even after the NGT ban is lifted, sand lifting will initially commence from only two Ghats in Silli, as they are the only ones with valid environmental clearance. The transfer of clearances to the new contractors and approvals for the remaining 17 Ghats may take up to three months, further delaying full-scale operations.
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Prices Likely to Fall
Currently, sand brokers are charging between Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 5,500 per 100 CFT due to limited supply and dependence on online booking through JSMDC’s portal. Once all Ghats are operational, contractors are expected to increase supply significantly, potentially reducing Sand prices by nearly 30% and curbing illegal sales.
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