Lorry owners’ association alleges smuggling of M-sand and gravel stones to Karnataka

S Yuvaraj, president of the association said that the government has allowed a large number of stone quarries in Krishnagiri. “Based on RTI information, the district alone has 112 to 150 quarries. Every day, around 80,000 tonnes to 1 lakh tonnes of resources are being taken to Karnataka. But the government is reluctant to take action,” he told reporters here.

Yuvaraj also added that the government is violating an order of the Madurai bench of Madras High Court that banned transportation of M-sand to other states. “We already had sent a petition to the district administration. But, there has been no action yet. We have sent another representation to Krishnagiri district Collector. If the government fails to act in 15 days, we will approach the court as well as the governor,” he warned.

He pointed out that most of the quarries that are functioning in Krishnagiri district are owned by persons from Karnataka.

“This has caused a huge loss to the State government exchequer. If the government refuses to take action, mountains in Tamil Nadu - Karnataka border will be gone in a few years. There is no huge construction activity in the district yet permission has been given to produce around 1 lakh tonnes of M-sand,” he said.

The association also alleged that some transport M-sand to Karnataka by using expired transit passes.