Madurai, March 15 (NationPress) The Department of Geology and Mining in Tamil Nadu has obtained drone survey reports for 11 stone quarries situated in the Madurai district. They are gearing up to perform thorough ground inspections aimed at assessing whether the operators have breached mining regulations. The quarries included in the survey consist of seven located in Kallanai village in Kallikudi taluk and four in Ponnamangalam village of Thirumangalam taluk. These inspections form part of the third phase of an extensive drone-based evaluation of quarrying activities throughout the district.

So far, drone surveys have covered a total of 47 out of 58 quarries in Madurai district.

Upon receiving the aerial survey results, officials from the geology and mining department will initiate ground surveys to validate the findings. This process will involve mapping geological features, identifying mineral resources, and comparing field observations with the data generated by drones.

Once the verification is complete, the department will compile a comprehensive report and submit it to the revenue department for subsequent actions. Should the ground inspections reveal violations such as unlawful extraction, encroachment, or exceeding allowed mining limits, the revenue department will issue formal notices to the implicated quarry operators.

Fines may also be levied in line with both mining and environmental laws. The drone survey initiative was instigated following persistent protests from farmers and local residents in the district, especially in Kallanai village.

Residents and security personnel in the area have claimed that extensive illegal quarrying operations have been causing significant environmental harm. Local inhabitants have alleged that quarry operators are breaching mining laws, damaging natural pathways linked to the Kundaru river system, and encroaching upon panjami lands reserved for historically underserved communities.

Residents organized protests within the village for over 100 days and subsequently demonstrated outside the district collectorate, demanding action against unlawful quarrying practices. Concerns were also presented in petitions to District Collector K.J. Praveen Kumar.

Previous phases of the drone survey have already revealed numerous violations. In the initial phase, six stone quarries in Thirumangalam taluk were inspected, leading to the discovery that five had breached mining regulations.

Penalties were imposed on the operators; however, one quarry owner contested the penalty in court, while others complied with the fines. In the second phase, drone surveys examined five additional quarries in Katchaikatti village in Vadipatti taluk and the Kondayampatti area, where an animal overpass project is being developed by the National Highways Authority of India.

All five quarries were found to have violated regulations, resulting in a collective fine of Rs 15 crore. Legal disputes and appeals concerning those penalties are currently under review.