Shimla : The cost of construction is set to rise in a big way in Himachal Pradesh with the state government’s nod to double the royalty on construction material .
A top official of the state government said it had raised royalty on construction material at source and includes items like sand , coarse aggregate , bricks and stone.
The royalty has been raised from Rs 20 per tonne to Rs 40 per tonne .This is bound to have a spiraling impact on the prices of these infrastructure building items say people involved in the construction business .
According to one estimate the cost of sand and coarse aggregate is likely to go up by Rs 4 per foot .
So now a Rs 7500 truck load of coarse aggregate will cost Rs 9000 while truck of sand at Rs 3500 will now cost Rs 4500 say many .
Currently a brick costs Rs 4.50 , this is likely to go up to Rs 5.50 . Also a truckfull of stone which costs Rs 1200 will go up to Rs 1600 per truck , say experts .
In a 20 year career published widely. He has worked for the BBC, AFP, The Statesman, IANS and the Business Standard . Known for his hard hitting writing and occasional off-beat stories. He lives in Shimla.
