Residents of several villages in Melur taluk submitted a petition to the Madurai District Collector on Monday demanding an official probe into regulatory violations and the permanent closure of a private stone quarry operating at K. Pudur in Kachirayanpatti panchayat.

According to the petitioners from the villages of K. Pudur, Kalapparai, Paalkudi, and Muthukaruppanpatti, the quarry has been functioning in violation of minor mineral concession rules by allegedly concealing official documentation.

They highlighted that the quarrying operations posed a grave threat to local water sources, including the Karuppayurani and Aruvi tanks and the Velluthu spring, adversely affecting drinking water supply and rural livelihoods.

Further, the site operates in close proximity to residential homes, public roads, ancient Jain beds, historical stone inscriptions, and habitats supporting the endangered slender loris and local biodiversity.

Following an intense road blockade on June 15, officials from the Revenue Department and the Department of Geology and Mining temporarily ordered a halt to operations, promising a thorough inspection into the alleged violations.

However, residents claimed that stone-crushing activities continued surreptitiously despite the shutdown order, and that the promised administrative inspection was not conducted properly.

Jeeva, one of the petitioners, alleged that local leaders and protesters have faced threats and intimidation from quarry henchmen following the demonstrations, prompting them to seek police protection from the Kottampatti police station.

He urged the district administration to step in, conduct a transparent evaluation of the site’s legal violations, and order the immediate and permanent shutdown of the quarry.

Published - July 20, 2026 09:01 pm IST