Residents and farmers of Kaverirajapuram village in Tiruvallur district have alleged large-scale illegal soil extraction under the guise of a gravel quarry. They claim a local DMK functionary, who obtained permission for a gravel quarry on 1.47 acres of fallow land, expanded operations into surrounding lands.
According to villagers, the quarry permit was issued in September last year for survey numbers 385 B and C. However, they allege that government land and nearby farmers’ fields—totalling about 14 acres—were encroached upon and excavated using heavy machinery.
Farmers say rules allow gravel removal only up to a depth of 3 metres (around 10 feet), but the site has been dug to nearly 40 feet. They allege the excessive excavation has turned agricultural plots into pit-like trenches and claim the operation generated crores of rupees.
Villagers also allege that despite submitting complaints for three months to the district collector and departments including mining, police and revenue, no effective action was taken. With election model code of conduct now in force, they say soil removal has stopped, and locals who visited the site reported shock at the extent of excavation.
Farmers warned that deep digging could lower groundwater levels and threaten cultivation across the village’s agricultural area, where they grow paddy, flowers and millets. They demanded immediate action against those involved and steps to ensure farming can continue.
