S Rajesh Kumar, the Congress MLA from Killiyoor constituency, made a strong plea to the DMK government to ban the transportation of gravel, blue metal, and M Sand from Kanyakumari district to Kerala for construction purposes. During the discussion on the demands for grants for the Water Resources Department in the Assembly, Kumar highlighted that heavy-duty vehicles are transporting large quantities of these minerals beyond the permitted limits to Kerala, since quarries have been banned in the neighbouring state.
Kanyakumari district is situated in an ecologically sensitive region along the Western Ghats, and the transportation of these minerals is causing significant concerns for the locals. Kumar emphasised that while the district requires gravel, blue metal, and M Sand for developmental projects, the government should take a policy decision to prohibit their transportation to Kerala and instead permit the operation of quarries as per the regulations to fulfill the needs of the district.
Kumar also expressed his concern regarding the removal of thousands of tonnes of sea sand for segregating minerals, which is leading to the erosion of residential areas of fishermen. He urged the government to take measures to address this issue and protect the livelihoods of the fishing community. Kumar's statement highlights the need for a balanced approach to ensure sustainable development without compromising the ecological integrity of the region.
