KANCHEEPURAM: The stubborn and unrelenting attitude of the villagers of Vippedu on the banks of the river Palar, near here, has prevented Public Works Department officials from reviving sand mining activity in the riverbed. "We did not want to suffer anymore by allowing sand mining and expect political parties which stood by us during previous occasions to extend their support this time also," they said.
Claiming that the ground water level in the surrounding areas had dropped beyond 150 feet in view of heavy and unchecked scooping of sand from the riverbed in the past, the villagers pointed out that the suspension of mining activity for the past eight months had led to recharging of the ground water in the village and nearby areas to some extent.
Sand quarrying on the Palar riverbed near this village, in Sevilimedu panchayat limit, was suspended by officials eight months after protests organised by the villagers with the support of local party leaders.
Enquiries reveal officials did not have any problems in suspending sand mining at Vippedu since another quarry at Kalur in Kalakattur panchayat was operational. But after the closure of Vippedu quarry, Kalur villagers started protesting.
Officials are trying to resolve the issue with the help of local political party leaders.
