Power supply to 99 stone-crushing units in Kundrathur area in Kancheepuram district, which were operating without the consent of the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB), was disconnected on Friday.
Following a public interest litigation petition in 2008 seeking action against the illegal operation of stone-crushing units in Kundrathur, the High Court by an order on November 25, 2009 had directed the TNPCB to take action in the matter. The board identified 99 units – 38 in Chikkarayapuram, 31 in Erikarai Road, five at Malayambakkam and 25 at Kovur – which were operating without the board's consent.
They were causing air pollution. Even though the units were given sufficient time to rectify the defects, they failed to do so, a TNPCB press release said. Hence, the board issued closure direction and disconnection of power supply order on Thursday.
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Accordingly, power was disconnected on Friday. The board issued a warning that it would take stringent action against stone crushing units operating without its consent.