The sand crisis in Palamu district is set to continue as the second round of e-auction for Sand Ghats failed to attract any bidders. The deadline for submitting bids ended on 6th October, but not a single application was received, officials confirmed. This failure may impact to the district’s ability to meet construction material demands once the National Green Tribunal (NGT) ban on Sand lifting ends on 15th October.
Also Read: High Court Refused to Lift Ban on Sand and Minor Minerals in Jharkhand
Repeated Auction Failure Raised Concern
Earlier, the first auction phase, with a deadline of 15th September, had also failed after no contractor showed interest. To make bidding easier, the Mines Directorate had reduced the minimum security deposit drastically from Rs. 13 crores to around Rs. 3–4 crores, and also allowed smaller sand clusters. Authorities expected this would encourage local contractors, but the response remained nil. Officials fear that if the stalemate continues, construction activities across Government and private sectors will be seriously affected.
Also Read: Jharkhand High Court Ordered Suspension of All Sand Ghat Auction until PESA Rules Notified
19 Sand Ghats Identified Under New Mining Rules
Under the Jharkhand Sand Mining Rules, 2025, the district survey report identified 19 Sand Ghats in Palamu, divided into 12 groups for auction. The largest, Singraha Ghat, spans 205.03 Hectares, while the smallest, Kankekhurd Ghat, covers 4.08 Hectares. Most Ghats exceed 5 Hectares in area, indicating significant potential supply if operations resume. The administration is now consulting the Mines Directorate for a revised tender process.
Also Read: Sand Prices Likely to Fall by 30% as 19 Ghats Auctioned in Ranchi
Fresh e-Tender in Neighbouring Garhwa District
A similar situation has emerged in Garhwa district, where the first phase of Sand auction also drew no bidders. The authorities have issued a fresh e-tender for 11 Ghat groups, open from 10th to 31st October, with a special meeting scheduled on 17th October for technical guidance. The twin district crisis underscores the growing challenges in implementing the new Sand Mining Policy, even as Jharkhand seeks to stabilise material supply for its infrastructure projects.
Also Read: ED Charge-Sheet Revealed Property Details of Ankit Raj, Linked to Sand Mafia Case
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