Sand transportation will be allowed in Maharashtra 24x7 as against only during daytime, the state government announced on Thursday, claiming that the decision will curb illegal transportation, reported news agency PTI.

Beneficiaries of government housing schemes will receive a certain amount of sand free, revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said in a statement in the legislative assembly in Mumbai.

Earlier, sand transportation was allowed only between 6 am and 6 pm.