Madras High Court direction to govt on sand mining

Chennai: The Madras High Court today directed Tamil Nadu government to consider the representation made by former MLA M Appavu to ban river sand mining.

Appavu submitted that in 2002, the Madras High Court while dealing with a PIL directed the state Government to constitute a committee to conduct a scientific survey on the river sand quarrying and submit a report.

The committee suggested use of crushed stone sand as an alternate material to natural sand for construction activities.

In spite of the recommendation of the use of crushed stone sand, the usage of river sand continues in all construction activities, Appavu contended.

Due to continious river sand mining, the state was facing rapid drying up of rivers, lakes, ponds leading to water scarcity and drought.