Madurai | Jun 10, 2015: Madras High Court today appointed an Advocate Commissioner to file a report on indiscriminate sand mining,which created deep pits and prevented free flow of water and irrigation in Gunaseelam in Tiruchirapalli district.
Justice S Vaidhyanathan directed the advocate T S Venkataramana to inspect the spot at Manjakorai village and file a report on sand mining, allegedly using heavy machinery and creating roads on the river bed.
The Petitioner alleged that the Tiruchi Collector and PWD Chief Engineers had allowed excavation of the bed upto 20 feet depth. Even if water was released from Mettur, they did not reach the respective area. This had resulted in 20 per cent of yield in the cultivated area and other areas becoming non productive.
The area of cultivation had fallen steeply due to indiscriminate quarrying and their livelihood was in peril,he said, adding the Mokkamu dam could also get damaged.
(Source: http://www.business-standard.com/)