Environmentalists say TN losing several hillocks due to m-sand mining

28 Jun 2021 CW Team

According to environmentalists, Tamil Nadu is losing several hillocks to indiscriminate mining for m-sand, cautioning about an inevitable disaster in a water-starved state.

Against the backdrop of the Madras high court’s Monday ruling, leading the government to crack down on illegal quarrying, they aim at showing how the scam-tainted granite quarries of a decade ago adversely affected the ecosystem.

Government sources say that the actual volume cannot be quantified because of the lack of a monitoring system, but estimate the 840 crushing units, sourcing raw material from 700 quarries, generate 2 lakh tonnes-4 lakh tonnes of m-sand every day. Environmentalists say destroying hillocks will negatively impact the hydrological cycle and biodiversity.

Environmentalists say that river sand mining is more serious, but sand gets replaced naturally if left unmined for a few years, adding that hillocks once destroyed, cannot be recreated. Additionally, private quarries fetch the state just Rs 600 crore in royalties yearly.

In 2019, the Madras high court quoting records said that Tamil Nadu’s hillocks and mountains are being sold to other states.

Ramjee Nagarajan, an Environmental scientist, said that quarrying hillocks impact watershed and weathering processes. Biodiversity will be strongly disrupted due to such activities. Besides, the ripples may hit the water courses resulting in fluoride contamination of groundwater.

S Yuvaraj, Secretary, Construction and Real Estate Industry Coalition, said that the number of crushing units raised in the last five years after the severe shortage of river sand in 2017. But, the issue is that they cannot quantify the volume of m-sand created in the state and provided to Karnataka and Kerala.

Public Works Department officials said that river sand available for construction in the state could last three years if m-sand-producing quarries are closed, while government sources said measures are being implemented to observe quarries from district collectorates through CCTV cameras.

Image Source

Also read: TN construction body urges state to regulate bldg material prices

According to environmentalists, Tamil Nadu is losing several hillocks to indiscriminate mining for m-sand, cautioning about an inevitable disaster in a water-starved state. Against the backdrop of the Madras high court’s Monday ruling, leading the government to crack down on illegal quarrying, they aim at showing how the scam-tainted granite quarries of a decade ago adversely affected the ecosystem. Government sources say that the actual volume cannot be quantified because of the lack of a monitoring system, but estimate the 840 crushing units, sourcing raw material from 700 quarries, generate 2 lakh tonnes-4 lakh tonnes of m-sand every day. Environmentalists say destroying hillocks will negatively impact the hydrological cycle and biodiversity. Environmentalists say that river sand mining is more serious, but sand gets replaced naturally if left unmined for a few years, adding that hillocks once destroyed, cannot be recreated. Additionally, private quarries fetch the state just Rs 600 crore in royalties yearly. In 2019, the Madras high court quoting records said that Tamil Nadu’s hillocks and mountains are being sold to other states. Ramjee Nagarajan, an Environmental scientist, said that quarrying hillocks impact watershed and weathering processes. Biodiversity will be strongly disrupted due to such activities. Besides, the ripples may hit the water courses resulting in fluoride contamination of groundwater. S Yuvaraj, Secretary, Construction and Real Estate Industry Coalition, said that the number of crushing units raised in the last five years after the severe shortage of river sand in 2017. But, the issue is that they cannot quantify the volume of m-sand created in the state and provided to Karnataka and Kerala. Public Works Department officials said that river sand available for construction in the state could last three years if m-sand-producing quarries are closed, while government sources said measures are being implemented to observe quarries from district collectorates through CCTV cameras. Image Source Also read: TN construction body urges state to regulate bldg material prices

Infrastructure Transport

14 Oct 2025

Versova-Dahisar Coastal Road Project to Impact 1,200 Trees

The Versova-Dahisar Coastal Road Project in Mumbai will affect over 1,200 trees, according to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Of these, 990 trees will be replanted, while the remaining will be cut down due to construction requirements. The project, which forms a key extension of the on-going Mumbai Coastal Road corridor, aims to ease traffic congestion in the western suburbs and enhance north-south connectivity along the city’s coastline. The BMC has assured that replantation efforts will be carried out in designated areas to maintain ecological balance and offset the environm..

Infrastructure Transport

14 Oct 2025

New Entry-Exit Planned on Vadodara–Mumbai Expressway near Ankleshwar

The Vadodara–Mumbai Expressway is set to get a new entry and exit point near Ankleshwar, aimed at improving regional connectivity and reducing travel time for commuters in south Gujarat. The new interchange, proposed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), will offer smoother access to nearby industrial and residential areas. The project forms part of the Bharatmala Pariyojana initiative, designed to strengthen India’s expressway network and boost economic corridors. Once operational, the new interchange is expected to enhance logistics efficiency by offering improved freight..

Infrastructure Transport

14 Oct 2025

PMRDA Launches Rs 5,580 Mn Road Upgrade Plan to Ease Chakan Traffic

The Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) has launched Rs 5,580 million road infrastructure upgrade plan to address severe traffic congestion in the Chakan industrial region. The initiative aims to improve connectivity between Pune and major industrial hubs, including Talegaon, Moshi, and Alandi. Under the plan, PMRDA will widen existing roads, construct new link roads, and improve junctions across the Chakan–Talegaon and Moshi-Alandi corridors. These measures are expected to streamline the movement of goods and workers, benefiting the area are automotive and manufacturing ..