The Maharashtra state cabinet has approved a comprehensive new sand policy to promote environmental sustainability and transparency. Key provisions include promoting artificial sand (manufactured sand or m-sand) for construction and replacing depot-based sand sales with an online auction system.
To reduce environmental impact, the use of m-sand has been made mandatory for 20% of all government and semi-government construction projects, with plans to make it compulsory across the board gradually. M-sand, seen as a more sustainable alternative to river sand, will be used to construct government buildings, canals, and other infrastructure.
Sand excavated from riverbeds and creeks will now be sold via e-auction and overseen by sub-divisional officers. Auction rights for river sand will last two years, while sand from creeks will have a three-year auction period. Additionally, 10% of excavated sand, up to five brass, will be provided free of cost to beneficiaries of affordable housing projects.
To raise funds for urban development, the Cabinet has also approved the transfer of freehold government land in Nagpur, Pune, Nashik, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar to their respective regional development authorities. Land disposal will follow a standardised procedure, and special care will be taken in cases involving grazing grounds, forests, temples, or land owned by local bodies.
Among other decisions, the Cabinet introduced a special amnesty scheme for Sindhi migrants from West Pakistan, enabling the regularisation of 30 localities across cities such as Nagpur, Jalgaon, and Mumbai.
A key legislative change has also been approved under the Slum Area Improvement and Rehabilitation Act. The time limit for submitting slum redevelopment proposals has been halved from 120 days to 60. If deadlines are missed, alternate authorities may take over the project.
Further, the government will lease land for 30 years to developers involved in state-partnered slum redevelopment, provided they submit a letter of intent within 30 days. Developers will also be responsible for clearing rent arrears owed to slum dwellers.
To strengthen disaster preparedness, a State Institute of Disaster Management will be established in Nagpur on a 10-acre site at MIHAN, with a budget of Rs 187 crore. The institute will focus on disaster planning, training, and response to natural and man-made crises.
