Mangaluru: The acute shortage of red stone and sand in Dakshina Kannada district has brought construction activities to a standstill, pushing hundreds of daily-wage workers into unemployment, according to the Karnataka State Building and Other Construction Workers Federation (CWFI).
Addressing the media, CWFI District President Vasantha Achari said that ongoing building projects—particularly those initiated by middle and lower-income families—have been severely impacted. “The construction sector is struggling, and it’s not just the workers—truck operators, shopkeepers, small contractors, and even banks are feeling the ripple effect,” he explained.
He added that economic activity in the district’s construction ecosystem has slowed down drastically, and if authorities do not act swiftly, the developmental pace of the region will suffer long-term setbacks.
The Federation has urged the government to intervene immediately, by streamlining the supply of construction raw materials, particularly red laterite stone and sand, and ensuring transparent and accessible distribution mechanisms.
Achari emphasized the need for policy clarity, faster licensing, and proper monitoring to curb black marketing and delays. “This issue is about livelihoods and infrastructure—it demands urgent attention,” he concluded.