Tamil Nadu Govt to take over sand mining operations: Edappadi Palaniswamy

Madurai: The Tamil Nadu government has decided to take over sand mining operations throughout the state. Making this announcement on the sudden move after inaugurating two flyovers in Madurai on Friday, Chief Minister K. Palanisami said that sand mining will be stopped completely within the next three years in the state to conserve the ground water.

In a bid to preserve the natural resources and also to put an end to illegal sand mining, the state government is promoting the use of manufactured sand. In doing so, the government would also be ending within two to three years from today the illegal sand mining operation, which is rampant in the Palar, Tambarabarani and Cauvery river basins among other rivers.

“Various sand quarries are functioning through state government. Henceforth the state government will completely take over the entire operation of the quarries. The loading of sand in lorries and stocking of sand will be done under the direct supervision of the government,” the CM said.

The price and demand for sand are increasing day by day, but we might not get the sand from the river basin in the near future, he pointed out.

“More importantly, we can increase the ground water only if we preserve the sand. Taking all these factors into consideration, I appeal to the people and persons involved in construction business to bring about in a phased manner the usage of manufactured sand,” Palaniswami said.

“As Tamil Nadu receives less rainfall, it is paramount to recharge the ground water in the state,” said Palanisami.