TN should drop idea of setting up new sand quarries, urges PMK

CHENNAI: PMK President Anbumani Ramadoss on Friday urged the State government to drop the idea of setting up 15 new sand quarries.

Taking to Twitter, Anbumani said: "In no sand quarry in Tamil Nadu sand is mined within the permissible levels. In all the sand quarries sand is mined above the permitted levels causing environmental degradation, lowering of ground water levels and intrusion of sea water into rivers. Under the circumstances setting up new sand quarries will prove dangerous for the State and for the people."

Recently, the government decided to establish 15 new sand quarries and sent the proposal for environment clearance. While criticising the move, Anbumani said that there are already more than 25 sand quarries functioning and works for setting up 25 new quarries is going on. Works for converting small quarries, in which only bullock carts are allowed, into bigger quarries, where tipper lorries are permitted to carry sands, is going on and unde the circumstances what is the need for establishing 15 new sand quarries.

Anbumani further said that there are several alternatives for sand but there are no such alternatives for environment. "The State government should drop the idea of opening new sand quarries to protect environment and to shut down the existing sand quarries," urged Anbumani.