Srirangam residents seek action on illegal sand mining

The petitioners said that there are more than 1,500 families residing in Melur and they are involved in farming and cattle rearing. In such a situation, despite the government ban, sand mining has been rampant in the locality. 

The actual permit for sand mining was earlier given only for Tiruvasi area. But, the miners have reached up to Melur and have dredged the sand for over 600 feet, which is a pure offence, they said.

Petitioners allege that sand mining has been continuing in their area only with the support of the local police. As a result, the level of ground water has gone down abysmally. This has also led to a water shortage in the area. 

“When we ask them to stop mining, they threaten us with dire consequences”, said M Karuppiah under whose leadership, the residents had approached the Collector. They have appealed to the collector to provide an alternative arrangement for the water crisis.