Srinagar: As Unlock 2 begins in Kashmir, people in Srinagar are realising that the cost of construction material has skyrocketed. Ghulam Rasool, a resident of Safa Kadal, told Kashmir Reader that there has been a 50-60 percent increase in rates of bricks, sand, and bajri. “People cannot bear this huge cost amid the lockdown,” he said.
As per Rasool, a truckload of bricks was sold at Rs 20,000 prior to the coronavirus lockdown but it now costs Rs 30,000-33,000.
“Stones used in making the foundation of the house cost Rs 3,400 in last season for a truck, but it now costs Rs 7,000 to Rs 8,000,” he said.
“The government should intervene in this matter,” Rasool said.
A resident of Rainawari, Rayees Ahmad, said that before the Covid19 lockdown began, he had demolished his ancestral house to construct a new one.
“Due to the increase in cost of construction material, my family has decided not to construct the house. We are currently living with our relatives in Bemina,” he said.
Construction material dealers say that the prices have risen due to higher labour costs and increase in rates charged by brick suppliers.
Farooq Ahmad, a dealer in Eidgah, said that last year, good-quality bricks were brought to Kashmir at Rs 17,000 to 18,000 per tipper, but the same is being purchased at Rs 27,000-29,000 rupees now.
Ahmad said that most people in Srinagar will avoid starting construction this year due to the increase in construction material prices.
In 2015, the J&K administration had fixed rates of A-grade bricks with a standard size of 9x4x3 inch at Rs 18,000 per 3,000 bricks, including costs of loading and unloading. Transportation charges were excluded.
Srinagar residents appealed to the Lieutenant Governor and the Divisional Commissioner to look into the issue of such high prices of construction material.

NAZIMA SIDIQ