TN suspends sand mining in 4 districts

A special team will also survey 71 mines in these southern districts, said chief minister J Jayalalithaa

The Tamil Nadu government on Tuesday said a decision on mining across the state's coastal areas would be taken once it gets the probe report on irregularities committed in 71 mines leased to private firms.

Chief minister J Jayalalithaa announced the policy decision on the beach sand minerals (Garnet, Ilmenite and Rutile) mining would be taken by the government after surveying the mines in Tirunelveli, Madurai, Kanyakumari and Tiruchirapalli (Trichy) districts.

According to a statement, a special team will survey 71 mines in these southern districts and the mining activity will be halted in the aforesaid areas till the survey gets completed and the report is submitted.

Earlier today, Gagandeep Singh Bedi, secretary, Department of Revenue, submitted a report to Jayalalithaa on beach sand mining in Tuticorin after field studies in August.

The team was constituted by the chief minister after former Tuticorin District Collector Ashish Kumar sent a report to the state stating "large scale illicit beach sand mining had been detected in the district".