Residents, farmers and environmental activists from Kallakudi, Kovandakurichi and neighbouring areas registered their strong opposition to the proposed expansion of limestone mines of Dalmia Cement (Bharat) during a public hearing at Venkatachalapuram near Pullampadi on Tuesday.
The public hearing was presided over by Collector K. Rajamani and was attended by over 500 people.
Soon after the meeting began, a group of about 100 persons, mostly from Kallakudi and Kovandakurichi, attempted to stage a road roko on the Tiruchi-Dalmiapuram road by claiming that they were denied entry into the public hearing venue.
However, the police and officials acted swiftly, pacified the protesters and took them to the venue.
They then expressed their views one after another.
“I am unable to sleep properly at night due to non-stop mining operations and transportation of limestone.
The borewell dug up at a cost of ₹75,000 in my house has failed due to deep excavation of limestone.
The expansion plan will further deplete the groundwater table and also cripple farming activities,” said Dennis Marry of Kallakudi.
A representative of Dalmia Cement said top priority was being given to ensure various parameters of pollution control norms were being followed.
The expansion plan would not affect the environment, groundwater and livelihood, he said and added that over 4,600 persons would get direct and indirect employment under the expansion plan.