Residents hoist black flags in houses, shops against proposed stone quarry in Tiruvannamalai

Residents in Mahajanambakkam and Kunnavakkam villages protest against proposed stone quarry due to environmental and livelihood concerns.

Residents, mostly farmers and traders, in Mahajanambakkam and Kunnavakkam villages near Cheyyar town in Tiruvannamalai hoisted black flags at houses, shops and public places against the proposed stone quarry near Kunnavakkam village. Residents in the affected village said that they were successful in restricting the setting up of quarries all these years. They have been keeping a vigil against any attempt to set up a new stone quarry on the outskirts of the village. “We have given petitions to local pollution control officials. The panchayat also passed a resolution in gram sabha meeting against setting up of a new quarry near the village,” said K. Ramu, a resident. Located on Cheyyar Main Road, Mahajanambakkam and Kunnavakkam villages are sprawling farming villages with on an average 5,000 acres under cultivation. The village has around 8,000 voters, who depend on farming for their livelihood. Two lakes and a few ponds helps recharge groundwater and irrigation in these villages.   Residents said that opening a new stone quarry will pollute existing water bodies and groundwater. It will affect farming in the area. Village roads will get damaged due to trips by quarry lorries. Regular blasts in the quarry will also affect senior citizens and children due to its noise. Huge stone pieces from the quarry will fall in the farmlands during such blasts. The existing bus services will be affected due to damage to stretches by trucks from the new quarry.   Officials of Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) said that at present, around 150 quarries, mostly stone quarries, operate in the district. Most quarries are located in Cheyyar, Vembakkam, Polur and Chetpet that were well-connected with adjoining districts.   As per norms, TNPCB will organise such public hearings only in cases where the proposed quarry or cluster of quarries are above five hectares of land together in the affected village. The new quarry in Kunnavakkam village will be set up in 15 acres of private land. “District Collector can prevent setting up of new quarries especially near water bodies and habitations as part of environmental protection. We will apprise residents’ objections to higher-ups,” said a TNPCB official.