Residents block key stretch near Ambur against stone quarry for damaging roads

Residents in Vinnamangalam village protest against damaging effects of stone quarry on roads and water bodies.

Residents including farmers at Vinnamangalam village and adjoining hamlets like Alankuppam, Kannadikuppam, Periyankuppam, Veerankuppam, and Nacharkuppam blocked Ambur - Pernambut Main Road near Ambur town in Tirupattur on Sunday against a stone quarry for damaging roads and water bodies.

Residents said that the existing stone quarry has been operating for the past few years in the area. Initially, functioning of the quarry was minimal with less number of trips by lorries operated on the route. In recent months, the quarry that also has a manufacturing sand unit has been operating for long hours. “Villages roads laid by Madhanur panchayat union have been severely damaged due to continuous movement of lorries and trucks to the quarry. Dust from the quarry gets settled on floors of many houses, which are asbestos roofed,” said N. Pankajam, a resident.

At present, Vinnamangalam, a border village on Tamil Nadu - Andhra Pradesh, has more than 1,500 families, who are mostly dependent on farming, cattle rearing and poultry farming. The village also has at least six ponds and water channels that remains a major water source for irrigation and domestic consumption.

Paddy is the chief crop in the village and adjoining hamlets. Farmers also cultivate green chilli, brinjal, groundnuts, greens and mango. Farmers said that the stone quarry has steadily increased its hours of operation for the past few months. Huge stone pieces from the quarry used to fall in the farmland during blasts. Excavation of stones was done round the clock, giving sleepless nights to residents.

Transport of excavated stones has also damaged village roads. It risked lives of farmers, students and office goers in using these stretches. Ambulances do not come to the village due to bad roads. Residents said that repeated petitions to revenue authorities in the district have not regulated the functioning of the quarry and movement of vehicles on the route. Even Sundays, loads of blue metal and sand are being transported from the quarry.

As a result, residents blocked the stretch, demanding regulation of the quarry including its operation and trips done by trucks. Based on alert, Ambur Town police led by S. Venkatesan and revenue officials reached the spot and pacified agitated residents. Later, residents dispersed peacefully after assurance from authorities that operation of the quarry will be regularised and alternative routes will be identified for lorries to make trips to the quarry.