The Stone Quarry, Crusher and Lorry Owners’ Association has denied any spurt in the price of gravel, M-sand and p-sand, and maintained that allegations that have surfaced to that effect was contrary to truth.The building materials were being sold at prices specified by the Government. Gravel was being sold for ₹4,000 per load, M-sand for ₹5,000 per load, and P-sand for ₹6,000 per load, K. Chinnasamy, State president of the association, said.There was no cause for concern on this issue for the general public, construction sector and other customers, Mr. Chinnasamy said in a press release, contending that the allegations had been levelled without any basis.The association has responded explaining its position a day after the Tamil Nadu Sand Lorry Owners’ Federation called upon the State Government to take over control of the minerals and to sell them directly to the public.Federation president Sella Rajamani alleged that thousands of quarries and crushers across the State were acting in tandem to increase the costs following the temporary closure of 67 stone quarries after the TVK Government assumed charge.The Federation apprehended that poor quality M-sand and P-sand had entered the market and the State Government could generate more revenue by directly procuring the minerals from the private stone quarries and sell them online through mineral sales depots in all districts.Criminal action must be taken against the section of lessees of stone quarries who maintain the supplies to the neighbouring States of Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, while creating “artificial scarcity” in Tamil Nadu, R. Satish Kumar, environmental activist, said in an appeal made to the Chief Minister’s Office. Published - June 09, 2026 07:09 pm IST