CHENNAI: PMK founder S Ramadoss has urged the state government to immediately cancel the proposed opening of eight new sand quarries across the State, warning that the move would severely harm the environment and groundwater levels.

In a statement, the senior leader said that two quarries are planned in Cuddalore district, three in Pudukkottai, and one each in Thanjavur, Ranipet, and Namakkal districts. "In 2023, 25 quarries were opened, and four times the permitted quantity of sand was illegally mined. Excessive sand mining depletes groundwater, causes riverbank erosion, increases the risk of floods during monsoon seasons, and leads to droughts in summer," he warned.

He explained that river sand acts like a natural sponge, maintaining groundwater levels and preventing complete evaporat

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