Quarrying of blue metal in Tirusulam stopped in 2012, but the crushing units have stayed put owing to the sites’ proximity to the city. Despite repeated requests, crushing unit operators fail to follow measures to reduce dust. Residents complain of respiratory disorders. Samuel Merigala finds that...
CHENNAI: The Madras High Court ban in 2012 ended the quarrying of blue metal (jalli kallu) from the Tirusulam cliff face. But the toxic quarry dust still lines the nostrils of the residents, thanks to the increasing number of rock-crushing units.
Currently, around 70 crushing and m-sand units operate in Tirusulam. More than 90 per cent of these units operates on either temple land or beam notice land without proper permissions and clearances.
After the ban, most locals have found employment outside the once-thriving blue metal business. Over 10,000 people live in Amman Nagar, Shubam Nagar, Sami Nagar, Ulaipali Nagar and Rani Anna Nagar. These are the areas that are worst hit by the dust released from crushing units. “Almost all the crushing units are operated by people from Kancheepuram district, or other parts of Chennai. Now everything is mechanised, and so few locals are employed,” said M Subramani, a resident of Tirusulam, explaining most residents have found work at Chennai airport.Raw blue metal mined from various parts of Kancheepuram is brought to the Tirusulam crushing units because of its proximity to different parts of the city.
Apathy of unit owners
Locals alleged that their repeated requests to crushing unit operators to follow proper measures to reduce the amount of dust released into the atmosphere have gone unheard.“They only sprinkle water on machinery and raw materials when locals raise their voice. None of the crushing units have proper sheds to prevent the release of dust into the air,” said K Singadurai, another resident. Layers of dust are constantly formed on surfaces during the day. Even closed windows don’t stop the dust from lining the floors of most houses in Tirusulam.
Mariappan’s car’s windshield stood testament to this. Dust had completely covered the windshield in under a day. “It rained last night and the car was clean in the morning,” said V Mariappan, a resident of Rani Anna Nagar. “Forget the car. Even our food has an extra ingredient…dust,” said his wife, explaining how the crushing unit members next door threatened them for complaining about the dust.
Dust-related illnesses
Locals alleged there are numerous tuberculosis (TB) cases in Tirusulam and many people have respiratory issues. However, a sense of gratitude towards their former livelihood has stopped them from outrightly blaming the crushing units.A crushing unit worker recently succumbed to TB. However, since both his sons have found work in the same unit, the family refused to speak to Express.Cough and wheezing are common in toddlers. “After playing outside for just a few minutes, their body is coated with dust,” averred M Lakshmi. “We wished that our kids wouldn’t have to inhale dust like we did when we were kids,” she rued.
Lack of sexual desire and infertility among men is another serious issue, locals said. However, the embarrassment that comes with discussing such issues has stopped men from openly blaming the common enemy.The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board has taken note of the problems caused by crushing units, and has assured action against those found flouting norms. “We will reassess clearances and take action against those who are operating without clearances,” said P Senthur Pandy, the district environmental engineer.
Water theft
Unlike crushing units, m-sand units require large quantities of water to operate. There are around 13 m-sand units in Tirusulam and all of them are unauthorised. These units draw at least 1.3 lakh litres of water every day directly from the Tirusulam lake and the stone quarry, the two major sources of water for the residents.
“Once the lake dries up in summer, the panchayat gives us water from the old stone quarry. Unlike the residents of Pallavaram, we don’t get Palar water,” said A Vellapandi, a resident of Tirusulam. “Because of water scarcity, we get water only once in 15 days,” he said, explaining, each m-sand unit uses anywhere between 10,000 to 20,000 litres of water every day.
When Express visited one of the m-sand units which was drawing water directly from the stone quarry, the supervisor conceded they were yet to get approval from the government for m-sand production like the other m-sand units in Tirusulam. “We will construct a bore well soon,” he said.
The Tirusulam town panchayat claimed to have served notices to the unauthorised m-sand units. “We have served notice to Yeshwant Ravi, the head of the crusher unit association. He has been causing problems using his clout as he is the son-in-law of former MLA MA Vaithiyalingam,” said a senior panchayat official.Despite repeated attempts, Yeshwant Ravi was not available for comment.
Snapshot
● Madras High Court bans quarrying of blue metal at Tirusulam in 2012
● Currently, 70 crushing and m-sand units operate in Tirusulam
● After ban, locals find other jobs, most of them work at Chennai airport
● 10,000 people live in Amman Nagar, Shubam Nagar, Sami Nagar, Ulaipali Nagar and Rani Anna Nagar, which are worst hit by the dust released from crushing units
● Most units are now mechanised
● Raw blue metal mined from Kancheepuram is now crushed at Tirusulam owing to proximity
Problems
● Tuberculosis (TB) cases and respiratory concerns on the rise
● Lack of sexual desire and infertility among men
● Unlike crushing units, m-sand units require large quantities of water to operate. There are around 13 m-sand units in Tirusulam and all of them are unauthorised. These units draw at least 1.3 lakh litres of water every day directly from the Tirusulam lake and the stone quarry, the two major sources of water for the residents here.