Sand Quaries - A Threat

Residents on the southern bank of the Vaigai river near Thoothai on the Madurai - Ramanathapuram Road have expressed fear that their villagers may face acute water shortage in near future.

While sand is being quarried in large quantity from the riverbed on the northern side of Thoothai,
in the recent past had an indirect impact on the groundwater table in the area, farmers said.

Earlier, they were able to tap groundwater within 60 to 80 feet in the hamlets. But now the groundwater table has gone down beyond 100 feet.

Further, setting up of a sand quarry on the River riverbed is all set to affect the sub-surface water availability.

Apart from posing a grave threat to the water resource, quarrying of sand has raised fears among the villagers whether the much awaited road link facility would withstand for long or not.

Road damaged

Apart from causing an irreparable damage to natural resources, continuous movement of heavy vehicles laden with blue metal on the Madurai - Ramanathapuram Road has left huge craters on the carriageway.

Further, parking of sand lorries on the highway has led to frequent traffic hold-ups .

It has created problem for motorists on the Madurai - Ramanathapuram Road.