Interim stay on quarrying in Othivakkam lake

The PWD and Revenue authorities of Kancheepuram and Chengalpattu Districts have been restrained by the summer vacation bench of the High Court from allowing any quarrying activities in the lake as per its order on Wednesday. The Division Bench comprising Justice MM Sundresh and Justice R Mahadevan also issued notices to the concerned officials, including the Kanchipuram district collector, Executive Engineer (Water Resources), and Deputy Director (Mines and Minerals), returnable in four weeks. 

The petitioner S Umapathy of Guduvanchery had contended that the Othivakkam lake, which is spread out in about 23 hectares, is the only water source to four villages for farming and other needs. But huge quarrying of red sand was carried out in the water body in the guise of desilting in November 2016. A representation in this regard was given to the MLA, who, in turn, had recommended a halt to further digging. But notwithstanding this, the contractor threatened the villagers with the help of police and continued to dig sand using JCB and other heavy machineries. After Vardah cyclone, mining was stopped for a few months. However, on May 9, 2017, the Kanchipuram district collector had issued a fresh order for mining red sand. This resulted in largescale quarrying, including illegal mining during the night, that affected the eco-system of the lake, he said. 

Pointing out as several representations including the one on May 15 had failed to evoke response, he sought the court to quash the District Collector’s order issued on May 9 and as an interim measure stall digging/quarrying of sand from the lake.