Villagers of Adanchan Kanmaipatti submitted a petition to the District Collector during the weekly grievances day on Monday, seeking closure of a PRP granite-quarrying unit in that locality.



Azhaguraja of Adanchan Kanmaipatti told Express that PRP had closed the main road that connected their habitats at Adanchan Kanmaipatti and had opened a private road with a check post. This road was covered by granite stones on either side and had become a hiding and breeding place for snakes, he alleged.



Azhaguraja also said that the fine granite dust coming out of the burners of the quarry covered the entire area and polluted even drinking water in the village.



The granite unit also continued to use explosives within a range of 35m from the housing area which was against the norms set by the Mining Department, Azhaguraja charged and added that this has resulted in cracks in most buildings in the vicinity.



N Samilingam of the same village complained that the PRP unit polluted the ground water as well by releasing industrial waste into a water body in Periya Ilangulam. He also said that due to intensive exploitation of the quarry site and the resultant dumping of waste, two tanks in the area have virtually disappeared.