Lorry owners threaten to picket PWD office if govt. fails to open sand quarries

The Tamil Nadu Sand Lorry Owners Federation (TNSLOF) has demanded that the government open sand quarries across the State by October 14. If not, it warned, its members will picket the Public Works Department (PWD) division head office in Tiruchi on October 16.

Sand quarries in the State were closed three years ago, affecting the livelihood of over a lakh drivers, cleaners, and lorry owners. As many as 55,000 lorries used to be operated in the business.

TNSLOF president Sella. Rajamani said courts have not stayed opening of sand quarries. Most dams, including the Mettur dam, have not been desilted for decades. If these dams are desilted, lakhs of units of sand will come to the market and increase the water-storing capacity in dams.

The government can sell the sand through online booking, earn revenue and also ensure that people get sand at affordable prices.

To prevent corruption, however, the government should handle all operations in sand quarries, including loading and transporting the material to government depots, said Mr. Rajamani, adding that the PWD should directly monitor this.

Sand being stolen

Closure of the quarries has led to illegal sand mining on riverbeds and the destruction of hillocks for m-sand, he said. "We submitted petitions to the government multiple times, but no action was taken. We urge the government to open the sand quarries by October 14. If not, sand lorry owners, on October 16, will picket the PWD head office in the Tiruchi division,” Mr. Rajamani warned.