To ensure easy availability of sand at cheaper rates in the state, the Punjab Government has decided to open 12 more public mining sites (PMS) in various districts. The state Mining and Geology Minister Chetan Singh Jauramajra will dedicate 12 new public mining sites under 4^th and 5^th Phase in five districts — Ferozepur, SBS Nagar, Amritsar, Moga, and Jalandhar — on February 28.

Notably, public mining sites have been wholeheartedly welcomed by the general public and a total 60 public mining sites are currently operational in various districts. Collectively, 15.90 lakh metric tonnes of sand has been extracted at Rs 5.50 per cubic feet by the general public till date, which shows the remarkable success of this initiative all in itself. The motive of this ambitious initiative is to provide sand to the public at cheaper rates.

“Now, with the inauguration of new public mining sites, identified by the Department of Mines and Geology, the total number of sites would be increased to 72, thus enhancing these benefits for the general public even more,” said Jauramajra.

The Minister said that these public mining sites will allow the public at large to excavate and sell the sand on their own resulting into increase the supply of sand in the market which will further lead to decrease in market rates of sand.

Notably, the first three phases of these public mining sites in 10 districts have already been inaugurated by the Chief Minister, Punjab to ensure the availability of sand at affordable rates to the public at large.