State to open more sand quarries

The decision was taken during a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) and eight district Collectors, on Tuesday. He is learnt to have advised the opening of a minimum of three and a maximum of seven quarries in each district. The decision to open more quarries was first made public by the state in June, and the policy decision was to open about 50 quarries across the state. The state had also approached the Environment Impact Assessment Authority in this regard. 

The state had taken over the sale of river sand considering the huge demand and price rise. Subsequently, the sale of sand went online. Meanwhile, the state attempted to push m-sand (manufactured sand); however, it did not work as per plan. This had prompted the government to look for river sand. 

The Colelctors of Ariyalur, Perambalur, Karur, Namakkal, Thanjavur, and Tiruvarur participated in the review and Edappadi K Palaniswami took stock of the situation in each district.