The Supreme Court on Monday stayed a Madras High Court order to freeze sand quarrying in the State within six months, besides a ban on opening new quarries.
A Bench, led by Justice Madan B. Lokur, agreed with the State’s point of view that the High Court order did not take into consideration the “demand and supply position” of the material while passing the stay order.
The Tamil Nadu government, represented by senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi and Yogesh Kanna, said a complete end to sand quarrying would be a recipe for disaster. Importing sand would be a major drain on funds and would hit the construction industry and the end-buyer.
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Mr. Rohatgi argued that the State’s four major ports – Ennore, Kattupalli, Chennai and Tuticorin – could only supply about 2,000 trucks of sand whereas Chennai city alone needs over 5,000 truckloads on a daily basis.
In its special leave petition, the Tamil Nadu said the High Court failed to appreciate that the government itself runs these quarries after due environmental clearances.