Mangalore:  The Cement-rates per bag have gone up by at least Rs.90 in the last few months. As cement rates zoom to the sky, sand has become non-available for constructing even cottages, let alone towers. Although black marketing of either cement or sand is not heard of all the same buildings cannot be completed without them. Even the RCC roads will be affected if they are started in a bunch, rather than one by one in a city like Mangalore. Cement bags are produced by several companies like Shankar, Savari, ACC, Chettinad, Vajra, Ultra-Tech and Malbar among others. The prices hover from Rs.310 to 325 or a little less, adding the Rs.90 rise in recent 2 months.
The difficulty in procuring cement and sand for roads and buildings has delayed their construction everywhere. Cement in Andhra, Tamilnadu and Maharashtra is getting out of hand from poor people. Sand is under rules and regulations, as movement is banned.
The state govt, and legislators are busy in, their own political future, and neglect construction activity, even in 2009 floods affected areas of northern Karnataka. Fresh floods are reported due to continuous heavy rains at nights in coastal and interior areas like Shimoga and Chikkamagalur. Construction cannot wait, nor can be delayed, without large increase in the prices of raw materials in viwe of passing time factor. There is no govt in Karnataka which can interfere and put an end to construction hassles, in a prolonged rainy season stretching into Dushera festival season.