Eleven stone quarries in Madurai district has been ordered for temporary closure with immediate effect, said Madurai District Collector K. J. Praveen Kumar here on Thursday.Following complaints, Natural Resources, Minerals and Mines Minister T. K. Prabhu had ordered a detailed inquiry into the allegations by the authorities from the Geology and Mines Department.It is said that the stone quarries, which came under scanner, had reportedly violated the guidelines and indulged in excessive mining and among other irregularities. The Minister had ordered the officials to thoroughly investigate and submit a report in this regard as to the loss to the exchequer and so on.The officials said that they have closed two stone quarries each in Ulagani village in Kalligudi block, in Kallanai village and in Achankulam village and one each in Chinna Ulagani, Thirumaal and in Kalligudi Bit 2 respectively.In Thiruparankundram block, one quarry each was directed for temporary closure in Nilayur Bit 1 and in Ayyapatti village in Melur block respectively.The press release stated that the officials have also been directed to examine quarries, which functioned without valid licence in the district. “If so, the quarries have to be shut permanently and the owners/agents shall be booked for operating them without valid permits,” the release said.Welcoming the minister’s order, activists in Madurai said that the officials, who were hand-in-glove with the stone quarry operators indulging in violation should also be booked, If they were found to have neglected such violations. The government should suspend them for dereliction of duty and also investigate them through the DVAC sleuths. as well.There were so many unauthorised stone quarries functioning in the district, which were mostly being operated by the former DMK rulers and their benamis. The officials should do their duty honestly without any vested interest, the activists added. Published - May 28, 2026 06:33 pm IST