Officials inspecting sand quarries face resistance

Teams uncover irregularities in mining activities at Kuttam village

October 19, 2013 02:01 am | Updated May 28, 2016 06:16 am IST - TIRUNELVELI:

Revenue Secretary Gagandeep Singh Bedi inspecting a beach sand quarry at Kuttam in Tirunelveli district on Friday.Photo: A. Shaikmohideen

Revenue Secretary Gagandeep Singh Bedi inspecting a beach sand quarry at Kuttam in Tirunelveli district on Friday.Photo: A. Shaikmohideen

The inspection of beach sand quarries along the Tirunelveli coast continued for the second consecutive day on Friday.

Led by Revenue Secretary Gagandeep Singh Bedi, 15 teams comprising 128 officials drawn from other districts inspected 25 locations.

Twenty-two sites were covered on Thursday.

Each team comprised officials from the departments of revenue, mines and minerals, pollution control board and a surveyor.

Officials received petitions seeking the resumption of sand mining, including from workers under the banner of the Thennaga Nalivutra Thozhilalargal Padhukaappu Iyakkam of Vallioor, reliable sources said.

According to the sources, the teams uncovered irregularities in mining activities at Kuttam village.

Officials encountered resistance in some pockets, with locals denying them entry at Kodaivilai village in the district. Vehicles proceeding to that village were also intercepted on Thursday.

The revenue secretary was accompanied by Collector C. Samayamoorthy.

Officials inspected quarries at Kuttam, Karaichuthu Uvari, Karaichuthu Pudur, Levengipuram, Irrukan Durai, Chettikulam, Kudankulam, Vijayapathi and Thiruvembalapuram. Further inspections are scheduled for October 17, 18 and 19, covering 52 quarries at 22 different locations.

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