Former Tamil Nadu Minister and senior leader of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam Pon. Muthuramalingam has alleged that attempts were being made to illegally mine sand along the banks and on the riverbed of Vaigai.

In a petition submitted to Madurai Collector K. Veera Raghava Rao, he had alleged that antisocial elements were laying paths adjacent to his coconut grove near his native village of Irumbadi in Vadipatti taluk to transport the illegally-mined sand in trucks.

He had alleged that the illegal mining was happening under the pretext of extracting ‘
savudu
sand (aquifers)’. Alleging that mining activities were happening with the tacit support of those in power, he had said that the path-laying work was continuing despite petitions to revenue officials.

Alleging that the men were planning to ‘loot’ huge quantity of sand from the place, he said that such mining would adversely affect the river’s ability to act as a water source for the district.

“A check-dam for distributing water from the Vaigai to Koothiyarkundu tank is located nearby. Similarly, the administration has sunk several borewells in the area for drinking water purpose,” he said, adding that the Collector must swiftly intervene to stop the illegal mining.

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