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Punjab farmers sell sand for Rs 1 a foot as fields turn into dunes

In Fazilka, AAP MLA Narinder Pal Singh Sawna says a trolley carrying 200 to 250 cubic feet of sand is selling for just Rs 200.

3 min readChandigarhUpdated: Nov 6, 2025 09:24 AM IST

District administrations are mapping affected villages. A Rs 20,000 per acre compensation scheme is also in place for damaged crops.

The floods are gone, but the sand stays. Punjab’s farmland, battered by the July–August deluge, now lies under metres of river silt and farmers are pleading for buyers to take it away for almost nothing. This is happening in a state where sand was selling at a princely Rs 40 per cubic feet, giving rise to illegal mining on river beds and foothills.

In Fazilka, AAP MLA Narinder Pal Singh Sawna says a trolley carrying 200 to 250 cubic feet of sand is selling for just Rs 200. “Farmers are charging Rs 1 per cubic foot. Buyers only pay labour and diesel,” he told The Indian Express. The urgency is to clear fields before wheat sowing begins in mid-November. Earlier, a trolley of even poor quality sand would fetch upwards of Rs 8000.

In Dharamkot Randhawa village in Majha, farmer Bikram Singh uses larger sugarcane trolleys. “Clean sand fetches Rs 3,000 per trolley; when mixed with soil, Rs 1,500. We are not sand merchants. We just want level land,” he says. Here, farmers also donate sand to Kar Sewa groups for village roads. “Our priority is wheat, not profit.”

Others see it as providence. “This is God’s way of helping us,” says Gurbir Singh, who is rebuilding his house. Yet most buyers still spend over Rs 15,000 for fine sand, including Rs 3,000 for labour and the rest on fuel and transport.

The glut is uneven. In Fatehgarh Sahib, trader Gurjeet Singh Happy says prices remain Rs 32 to 40 per cubic foot. “No change here. Business as usual.” In Faridkot, merchant Rakesh Kumar Grover acknowledges a 50 per cent dip, with a truck now costing Rs 20,000 instead of Rs 40,000, but maintains that no trolley sells below Rs 1,000 to 1,500. “Most field sand is mixed with soil, so it is used mainly as filler,” he says.

To address both crop loss and sand disposal, the Punjab Cabinet has approved the “Jisda Khet, Usda Ret” policy, allowing farmers to remove and sell silt from their fields without mining permits until December 31. District administrations are mapping affected villages. A Rs 20,000 per acre compensation scheme is also in place for damaged crops.

Water Resources and Mines Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal estimates 190 crore cubic feet of sand lies across riverbeds, valued at Rs 840 crore. “We have allowed farmers to sell field sand. Desilting tenders are out for the Sutlej and Ravi,” he said.

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But for many, the question remains:
Will this buried burden become opportunity or another layer of loss?

Kanchan Vasdev

Kanchan Vasdev is a Senior Assistant Editor in The Indian Express’ Punjab bureau. She is a highly experienced journalist with 22 years of expertise covering high-stakes politics, governance, and social issues in Northern India. Professional Background Role: Primary reporter covering the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), government policies, and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leadership in the state. Experience: She previously worked with The Tribune and has played a key role in launching various city editions. Special Projects: Abandoned Brides: Authored a monograph on brides abandoned by NRIs as part of the Prabha Dutt Memorial Fellowship. Environment: Worked as a Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) fellow, focusing on the pollution levels in the Satluj river. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent reporting focuses on the legislative strategies and political maneuvers of the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government: 1. Legislative & Governance Standoffs "Punjab govt advances special Assembly session to pass resolution against VB-G RAM G Bill" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the state's move to block the Centre's "Viksit Bharat" mission, which the state claims will undermine MGNREGA. "Punjab govt doubles down on special sessions, sixth in January" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing the AAP government's use of special sessions as a legislative tool amid tensions with the Governor. "Punjab asks 'VIP teachers' working near Chandigarh to go back to border districts" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on CM Mann's move to end the practice of influential teachers avoiding postings in remote areas. 2. Political Analysis & Rural Polls "Punjab rural polls: Why Akalis are likened to dinosaurs in Punjab" (Dec 19, 2025): Analyzing CM Bhagwant Mann's rhetoric against the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) following local body elections. "AAP claims win in 78% Punjab zila parishads as counting continues" (Dec 18, 2025): Breaking down the results of the 2025 rural elections. "Rahul Gandhi and Sidhu alike, says Bhagwant Mann" (Dec 13, 2025): Covering the CM's critique of the Congress leadership. 3. Law Enforcement & Bureaucracy "Suspended Punjab IPS officer Ravjot Kaur Grewal awaits reinstatement" (Dec 10, 2025): Investigative reporting on the bureaucratic red tape involving the Election Commission and the state government. "Punjab declines to give parole to Amritpal Singh" (Nov 27, 2025): Detailing the state government's refusal to grant parole to the radical preacher and sitting MP. 4. Welfare & Economy "Punjab government's plan to add more freebies to 'atta-dal' scheme hits funds roadblock" (Dec 4, 2024): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing the state's flagship food security program. "Mann leads Punjab delegation to Japan and South Korea for investor outreach" (Dec 2, 2025). Signature Beat Kanchan Vasdev is known for her insider access to Punjab's political executive. Her writing provides deep insights into how state policies are formulated and the friction points between the state government and central authorities. Her dual expertise in environment and law allows her to report on complex issues like the "Farmhouse Policy" (Dec 18, 2025) and river pollution with a unique policy-oriented lens. X (Twitter): @kanchan99 ... Read More

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