In a double-blow to the construction activities in the State, the Madurai Bench of the High Court of Madras has ordered closure of all sand/granite quarries in the State in a phased manner within the next six months. It has, however, allowed import of sand from abroad and other States.

Ramaiah of Pudhukottai had earlier filed a petition with the Madurai Bench stating that he had imported sand from Malaysia which had been detained at the Tuticorin Port by officials and sought the Court’s intervention to allow him to claim his consignment. It was while taking up his petition that the Madurai Bench passed the above order directing closure of all sand/granite quarries.

“All sand and granite quarries operating in the State are to be closed in a phased manner within the next six months. Opening of new quarries is hereby banned,” it said while allowing the petitioner to claim his consignment from the Tuticorin Port. It also allowed citizens to import sand for their use from abroad/other States.

“The move is mainly intended to protect the State’s rivers, lakes and other water-bodies. It’s a measure taken towards protecting natural resources,” the order further said. It also directed that surveillance CCTV cameras be placed at all the sand and granite quarries to check smuggling of sand/granite.