The Tamil Nadu government’s Department of Natural Resources has extended the validity period of reservation given for approval of mining over 1,144.06 hectares of land in eight coastal villages of Kanniyakumari district for one more year until June, 10, 2027.The order dated June 10, 2026 has come as a shock to many residents in the region, particularly in the light of the stance previously taken by [the now ruling] Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). During the executive meeting of the party held in November, 2024, the party passed several resolutions, including one opposing the proposed mining project.The resolution had said the Union government was attempting to implement a mining project in the Kanniyakumari region. “This is yet another attempt that would devastate southern Tamil Nadu. It Urged the union government to immediately abandon such hazardous and destructive projects, which pose serious risks to both the land and the people of the region,” the resolution had said.This latest extension of time has drawn criticism from activists and members of the fishing community, who have pointed to an apparent contradiction between TVKs earlier opposition to the project and the State’s decision to extend the reservation approval for another year.The 1,144.06 hectares covers villages, including Keezhmidalam-A, Midalam-B, Enayamputhenthurai, Ezhudesam-A, Ezhudesam-B, Ezhudesam-C, Kollencode-A and Kollencode-B in Killiyoor taluk of the district, until June 10, 2027 in terms of Section 17A(4) of Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 for mining by IREL(India) Limited.Kurumbanai Berlin, a functionary of Anukanima Suranga Edhirppu Makkal Iyakkam said that the government’s decision to extend the validity period was contrary to the resolution passed by the TVK party calling for the project to be abandoned.He added the extension raises a question among the people as whether the approval was granted with the knowledge of the Chief Minister or under the pressure of the Union government.In a ‘X’ post DMK deputy general secretary Kanimozhi Karunanidhi said it was unacceptable that the TVK government had issued a government order, extending by one year, the land allocation for the atomic mineral mining project in Kanniyakumari on the very last day, before the allocation was due to expire.She criticised the government, stating after passing a resolution in its party executive meeting demanding that the atomic mineral mining project be abandoned, the TVK government was now acting in a manner that facilitates approval for this environmentally hazardous project of the Union government.She added this amounts to a grave betrayal of the people of the southern districts. Published - July 01, 2026 07:58 pm IST