PATNA, July 13 -- State government has opened the door for organised mining of stone chips and aggregates, a sector with an estimated potential to yield revenue of around Rs.2,300 crore, in a major policy shift to lower construction costs, officials said on Monday.

Until now, Bihar depended on states like Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan for stone needs. Due to the arrival of stones from other states, huge transportation costs, entry fees, and toll taxes doubled the price of the stone by the time it reached Bihar. The new move seeks to lower the price.

The decision, outlined in recent official notifications, sets clear guidelines for extraction, including identified mining sites, royalty payments and environmental ...