Date:02/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/02/stories/2008120252080300.htm

Tamil Nadu - Udhagamandalam

Inspection of illegal quarries begins

Special Correspondent

Udhagamandalam: The second phase of inspection of illegal quarries in the Nilgiris district commenced on Monday.

The inspection by a committee, according to official sources, was part of the compliance of the government with a recent directive of the High Court to assess the damages caused by illegal quarrying.

First phase

During the first phase, a committee headed by the Principal Secretary, Industries, M.F. Farooqui, had inspected some of the quarries over two days and held discussions with the officials, including the Nilgiris Collector, Anandrao V. Patil.

Stating that for the current inspection a number of senior revenue officials from various parts of the State had come here, the sources added that since over one hundred quarries had to be inspected, they were being assisted by a number of local officials. The inspection was likely to go on for a week.