Bhubaneswar, Aug. 8 -- The Odisha government took a major step to curb illegal sand transportation and prevent the sale of sand at high prices. The move also aimed to stop arbitrary sand excavation and restricting the activities of the sand mafia.

The minimum support price (MSP) of sand has been fixed at Rs 340. Reports suggested that sand cannot be sold at a price higher than the prescribed MSP. The government is also set to auction sand quarries to regulate excavation and transportation.

In the first phase, more than 100 sand quarries are expected to be auctioned through e-lottery soon.

The government's decision is expected to restrict unauthorised excavation and make illegal sand transportation more difficult.

Sudarshan Das, Conven...