Tamil Nadu Environmental Protection Movement and Tamil Nadu Farmers’ Protection Association have expressed concern over the damage caused to the roads by tipper lorries moving out heavy tonnage loads from stone quarries and crushing units in Sivanmalai and surroundings in Kangayam Panchayat Union.
As per existing rules, lorries can carry a maximum weight of 10 tonnes on panchayat union roads and only three tonnes on roads constructed under NABARD-assisted projects.
But, the quarries and crushing units operate tipper lorries with much higher carrying capacity that cause damage to the roads and wastage of people’s tax money, the public welfare organisations have said in a complaint submitted to the Revenue Divisional Officer, Dharapuram.
The roads are full of potholes due to the heavy loads, in excess of 20 tonnes of quarried materials, transported by the tipper lorries, the representation said.
The damaged roads have caused discomfort to the general public as the office-goers and student community face daily difficulties.
