Villagers from Parakkani and Mottakattuvilai near Thengaipattinam have demanded the Kanyakumari district administration to stop stone quarries operating near residential areas.
Over 50 villagers thronged the Collectorate here on Monday and submitted a petition to Collector Sajjansingh R. Chavan. They alleged that the dust emanating from blasted stones had been affecting farming operations in their area. The dust deposit on soil had affected crop productivity. It also posed a health hazard to the villagers.
Despite a ban on quarrying within 300 metres of residential areas, the quarry operators, who had taken lands on lease, were blatantly violating the rule.
Based on earlier petitions, the District Revenue Officer inspected the area and sent a report and quarrying was banned. However, after some time the quarrying activities had started, they said.
The villagers appealed to the Collector to visit their villages and take measures to stop quarrying.