Srinagar, July 20: The prices of construction materials in North Kashmir’s Kupwara district have surged drastically, leaving residents struggling to afford basic resources for building homes.Locals allege that while the authorities remain passive spectators, only the influential are managing access to materials. People associated with the trade claim that the Geology and Mining Department is not issuing the necessary General Receipts (GRs), making it difficult for them to transport sand and other construction materials. “The rates have skyrocketed. I recently wanted to buy a tipper of sand but was shocked to hear the price. It is out of reach for ordinary people like me,” said Mushtaq Ahmed, a resident of Handwara. “Some people are still managing to get the material, but not everyone has those connections.” Residents say the supply crunch has created a parallel system where some transporters are allegedly operating under the radar, charging steep rates that most people cannot afford. “Earlier, the price of a single tipper is now equivalent to what we could get three tippers for,” said a resident from Langate town, who is planning to build a house but has now put construction on hold. Tipper drivers, on the other hand, say they are bearing the brunt of strict enforcement. “If we try to operate without GRs, our vehicles are seized. Some of them remain confiscated for months,” said a local tipper driver. “And if a vehicle is seized three times, its resale value drops significantly.”Irfan Ahmed, a tipper driver from the Kralgund area, recalled a recent ordeal. “I had dropped part of the material at a site, but the owner needed more and warned me that if I didn’t deliver the rest, he wouldn’t pay me for what was already unloaded,” he said. “I took the risk, but my vehicle was seized on the way. I was fined a huge amount which I couldn’t afford to pay for months.”Residents across villages voiced similar concerns and demanded immediate intervention from the government. “This is affecting middle and lower-income families the most. The authorities must look into the matter and ensure fair access to construction material,” said a local resident of Rajwar. When contacted, the District Mineral Officer (DMO) Kupwara was not available for comment despite multiple attempts.
Construction material prices soar in Kupwara, locals hit hard
Shortage of GRs spurs black market, tipper drivers face seizures, fines

Aatif Qayoom is a Senior Correspondent at Rising Kashmir, covering crime, tourism, sports, and various social issues across Jammu and Kashmir. Known for his accurate and ground-based reporting, he highlights stories that matter to people.
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