Chennai, May 30:
In a sweeping crackdown on illegal mining and regulatory violations, the Tamil Nadu government has temporarily suspended operations at 67 stone quarries found flouting statutory norms, while seizing 469 vehicles involved in unauthorised mineral transportation.
The action follows a statewide inspection drive ordered by Natural Resources Minister T K Prabhu amid rising complaints of widespread irregularities in the quarrying sector. Officials from the Department of Geology and Mining carried out intensive inspections over the past week, covering 431 quarries out of more than 2,000 licensed units operating across the State.
The inspections revealed violations in 155 quarries. Of these, 67 units have been shut down temporarily, while penalty proceedings have been initiated against several operators. Authorities are also in the process of halting operations in the remaining 88 quarries where irregularities were identified.
According to the minister, strict action has been initiated against quarry operators functioning beyond permitted limits or violating environmental and mining regulations. He reiterated the government’s commitment to safeguarding natural resources and enforcing compliance with the law.