Mumbai/Nagpur: The state government has rolled out a new policy aimed at promoting the use of artificial sand, commonly known as M-sand, to address the shortage of construction sand in Maharashtra. Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule announced that district collectors will now have direct authority to approve M-sand units in their respective districts.
This decision is expected to accelerate construction activities while curbing the excessive exploitation of natural sand. As per the new directive, the approval limit for M-sand units has been raised from 50 to 100 per district. The government hopes the increased use of M-sand will reduce dependency on natural resources and promote environmental conservation.
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28 Oct 2025
Under the policy, any licensed M-sand unit found violating the prescribed conditions will first face suspension, and repeated violations will result in permanent license cancellation. The move is anticipated to ease sand shortages and provide a major boost to the construction sector across the state.
