HC directive against sand quarrying

MADURAI

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court, which was hearing a public interest litigation petition against sand quarrying in Tirunelveli on Monday, ordered necessary steps by authorities concerned to stop the illegal activity.

A Division Bench of Justices T. Raja and Krishnan Ramasamy directed that necessary steps be initiated against illegal sand quarrying and sought a report in the case from authorities concerned.

The petitioner, V. Sudalai of Tirunelveli, alleged that two private parties had obtained licence for quarrying raw sand in Palayamkottai taluk. However, they were now quarrying sand from the Tamirabharani illegally, he said.

The same Division Bench, hearing another plea on sand quarrying filed in public interest, granted a stay on establishment of sand quarry in Pudukottai district. The judges adjourned the case for further hearing.

The petitioner, N.K. Pandiyaraman of Pudukottai, said the State government was trying to initiate steps to establish a sand quarry on the banks of Vellar river which flowed through Manamelkudi taluk in Pudukottai district. He claimed that the quarrying operations would affect agricultural activities in the region, where most of the people were agriculturalists.