Kancheepuram district’s Uthiramerur block, known for its lakes, farm wells and irrigation channels, has been facing growing concerns over quarrying and stone-crushing activity for nearly two decades. The area has 26 private quarries across villages such as Madur, Sirudamur, Sithalapakkam, Sirumayilur, Patta, Arungundram and Alancheri, along with more than 50 private crusher units.
According to local residents, rocks are blasted in quarries and processed in nearby crusher units to produce jelly and M-sand, which are supplied for construction in Chennai, Chengalpattu and Kancheepuram. People in the region say the operations often run without adequate regard for rules, leading to environmental and public health impacts.
A resident from Arungundram, Devaraj, alleged that water bodies are being degraded and that lake feeder channels, irrigation channels and government lands are being encroached upon. He also claimed that officials who should prevent violations are remaining silent, and urged the government led by Vijay to stop the continued granting of quarry permissions to protect agriculture, the environment and mineral resources.
A district mineral resources department official said quarry operations across the district are being monitored and that complaints related to violations and air pollution are received. The official added that inspections are carried out by the mineral resources department, revenue department and the pollution control board, and that permissions can be cancelled and penalties imposed if violations are found, with action to be taken against illegal units.
Residents listed alleged violations including quarrying beyond permitted depth affecting groundwater levels in farm wells, crusher units operating beyond permitted hours, inadequate water sprinkling to control dust, pollution near roads and homes causing respiratory issues, lack of safety fencing at quarries after lease periods, and speeding vehicles without tarpaulin covers leading to stone spillage and dust affecting roadside crops.
