Activists welcome move to close quarries operating in violation of rules, demand stricter action

An abandoned quarry at Kallanai in Madurai district.

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R. ASHOK

Kallanai in Kalligudi taluk is a quiet village situated on the Madurai and Virudhunagar border. The primary occupation is agriculture. However, the farmers of the area have been suffering due to lack of adequate water for agriculture and drinking purposes.The farmers said Gundaru and Thekkaru, the waterspread area, are the main water source. However, for over 10 years, the water source had dried up completely. The waterbody is full of wild growth. The groundwater has also depleted. They blame stone quarrying operations in the region for the drying up of the main water source.In February 2026, villagers from Kallanai, Achangulam, Thumbakulam Pudur, Nedungulam and Ulagani in Kalligudi taluk staged a protest at Madurai Collectorate demanding closure of the stone quarries operating in the area.They said stone quarry operations had encroached upon government land, waterbodies and even Panchami lands. Unauthorised stone quarrying operations had caused revenue loss to the government. Even at the farmers grievance redress meeting the issue was raised. They have also raised complaints against indiscriminate sand quarrying taking place in the district.In May, the authorities temporarily closed at least 11 stone quarries across Madurai district that were found to be operating in violation of the rules and guidelines. These included the quarries operating in Kallanai and Kalligudi taluk.An inquiry has been ordered. The authorities have been issued instructions to conduct an assessment to ascertain the number of quarries operating, closed quarries and with regard to the extent of the violation of the rules.R. Marichami, a resident, welcomed the move. He said quarrying operations in the area had destroyed agriculture and waterbodies. He said prior to the quarrying operations, the residents should have been consulted.However, none of this was done. Only much later, when the water level in the waterspread area started reducing did the people realise and oppose the quarrying operations, he said.He urges the authorities to permanently close the quarries, conduct an inquiry into violation of rules, ascertain whether there was corrupt practices and take necessary action. He also demanded the restoration of the waterbodies in the area.Environmental activist Kambur Selvaraj of Melur, who spearheaded similar protests in Melur and nearby places against quarrying operations, said while temporary closure was welcome, the authorities should conduct a proper assessment to the extent of violation.He said in several villages in Melur taluk, stone quarrying operations had led to pollution of waterbodies. Explosives were used to blast the rocks and this posed a threat to the people. Heavy vehicles were used to transport the minerals beyond permissible limits.The residents were facing health issues, he said, adding that no leniency should be shown to those who violate rules and damage the environment. The licence should be cancelled and criminal proceedings should be initiated against those who violated the rules, he said, adding that the environment should be preserved for the future generations.The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has been hearing a number of public interest litigation petitions seeking a direction to the authorities to take necessary action and prevent illegal stone and sand quarrying activities.The court directed the District Collectors of Southern and Central districts, coming under the jurisdiction of Madurai Bench, to take immediate steps to fence abandoned quarries in order to prevent loss of human and animal lives.The court issued the direction while hearing the public interest litigation petition filed by the Centre for Promotion of Social Concerns Executive Trustee R. Sathiamoorthy of Madurai.Mr. Sathiamoorthy had sought a direction to the authorities to establish Green Funds as per Section 35 A of Tamil Nadu Mines and Mineral Concession Rules, constitute Reclamation, Restoration and Rehabilitation Committee in every district and ensure District Committees perform their functions under Section 35E and 35F of the Rules.He complained that after quarrying operations and licence period were over, the quarries were left abandoned without any activity. Several quarries were left unfilled and water had stagnated in them. The quarries were not fenced and led to an alarming rise in the number of accidents taking place in abandoned mines and quarries.Despite the recurrence of such accidents, no preventive action was taken by the authorities. It was the duty of the State to protect its citizens. The authorities should take steps towards better utilisation of these sites and preserve the environment and the ecology, he said.He said he would be sending notices to the authorities concerned reminding them about the court direction.People’s Watch Executive Director Henri Tiphagne said while closure of the quarries were important, equally important was to fence them. The authorities concerned should take all necessary steps to fence the abandoned quarries at the earliest, he said.Last year in Sivaganga district, Devakottai Sub-Collector had imposed a fine of ₹91 crore against the illegal stone quarry operations in Singampunari. Six workers had lost their lives. In Dindigul district, the farmers have repeatedly raised complaints against the indiscriminate sand quarrying in water bodies.Recently, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court directed the Director of Department of Geology and Mining to complete the pending inquiry in the case pertaining to illegal sand mining in Tirunelveli district by a resident of Kerala. It also directed the CB-CID to ensure the conclusion of the trial in the case at the earliest.The final report in the case revealed that Manuvel George, a resident of Kerala had obtained M-sand stock yard licence and transport permit with the help of officials from the Department of Geology and Mining.It is said the first accused had dug up bogus farm ponds at the various survey numbers in South Kallidaikurichi without obtaining permission from the authorities. He also excavated unauthorised pits on other survey numbers.Thereafter, the sand was illegally transported to Kerala using M-sand permits with the connivance of other accused and officials.A person from Kerala had taken sand illegally from the banks of Thamirabarani river and had illegally transported it in the name of M-sand to Kerala. The accused committed offence with the connivance of the officials, the court said.With the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) coming to power, with a promise to give a change for better, the activists and the general public are keen to witness a transformation.