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