Tiruvallur district has only one authorised quarry supplying sand as of now. But, hundreds of lorries transport sand from Tiruvallur to Chennai daily as some manage to smuggle sand from river banks and water bodies, claim sand lorry owners.
Chennai needs nearly 8,000 loads of sand daily. With the ban on sand mining in Kancheepuram district, authorised sand lorry owners travel as far as Jeyamkondam and Tiruchi and wait for day or two to bring sand to Chennai. On the other hand, illegal sand mining is becoming rampant especially in the Kosasthalaiyar river basin and water bodies in the Vengal, Poochiathipedu and Karalapakkam near Tamaraipakkam.
While for residents, it has meant loss of water resources and groundwater depletion, sand lorry owners say they have been severely affected too by the indiscriminate sand mining. Frustrated over continuing illegal sand mining in the neighbouring district, members of Tamil Nadu State Sand Lorry Owners’ Federation plan to stage a demonstration on July 2, seeking an end to it.
P. Anandan of Avadi said illegal sand mining is rampant in Soranjeri and Chittukadu falling under Poonamallee belt. “We otherwise have to travel to Arcot for a sand-load. In spite of our efforts to deliver on time, we lose business due to people who sell sub-standard quality sand for much less. We incur an annual expense of minimum Rs. 50,000 towards tax and insurance,” he said.
Members of the Tamil Nadu State Sand Lorry Owners’ Federation demand that more check posts be put up to seize vehicles that transport sand illegally. The Federation’s president S. Yuvaraj charged that sale of adulterated sand that has silica sand mixed with river sand was also on the rise. Lorries also take sand from various water bodies during night hours.
“We want the Tiruvallur Collectorate to conduct surprise checks in the areas where such practice is rampant. Besides the fine levied, the Collectorate must also collect the amount for sand excavated from the river bed and lakes,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Water Resources Department (WRD) plans to open three more quarries in the Tiruvallur district to reduce sand shortage.
Officials of the WRD said while a quarry in Pullarambakkam will start operating next week, two more quarries in Vidaiyur and Attrampakkam are waiting for the Collectorate’s approval.
Four checkposts, including one near Tamaraipakkam Koot Road, have been put up.
“We conduct surprise checks and have seized about 10 lorries in the past two months. We are planning to step up night patrolling along with the Tiruvallur collectorate,” the official added.
