Villagers, activists oppose granite quarry

Villagers and environmental activists expressed their strong opposition to establishing a private stone quarry at Kallai near Kulithalai.

A public hearing was conducted on Tuesday by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board at Thogamalai to solicit the views of the residents of Kallai and its neighbouring villages on allowing a private firm, Apple Granite, to set up a quarry on 7.5 acres of land. District Revenue Officer Kannan presided over the meeting. A large number of residents of Kallai and its surrounding villages took part in the meeting. Similarly, a number of environmental activists participated in it.

Several of them expressed their strong opposition to the proposed lease of land. They pointed out that several key aspects of the profile of the proposed site of the quarry had been concealed while seeking licence from the competent authorities.

R.S. Mugilan of Tamil Nadu Environmental Protection Movement said that a large number of people had been residing within 300 metres distance from the proposed quarry site. An overhead tank, high power transmission lines and other utilities were located at Kulanthaipatti and Kulanthaipattikalam, which were very close to the quarry site. It would pose danger to the residents. Moreover, several documents were prepared by concealing facts. Hence, the proposed quarry should not be granted licence, he said.