KRISHNAGIRI: The Krishnagiri district administration has intensified its crackdown on illegal quarrying and mineral smuggling. A total of 142 illegal quarries were identified between April 2021 to January 2026, FIRs registered in 17 cases and 11 private complaints filed in courts. Apart from this, in a first for Tamil Nadu, action was initiated under the Revenue Recovery Act against offenders by Krishnagiri district, said a revenue department official to TNIE.
According to the official, "The drive against illegal quarrying and mineral smuggling resulted in the collection of Rs 13.88 crore in fines from violators. Similarly, in an effort to curb illegal mineral transportation, police, revenue and geology and mining departments seized 903 vehicles, registered 762 FIRs, while 31 private complaints were filed in courts. Two persons were arrested under the Goondas Act for repeated offences, and the administration collected to the tune of Rs 40.42 lakh in fines related to smuggling cases."
The official further said, "In a first for the state, Krishnagiri Collector C Dinesh Kumar invoked the Revenue Recovery Act to auction land of regular offenders to recover pending fines from illegal mining cases. A total of 30 cases were registered under the Act and the district administration has collected Rs 1 crore against a total outstanding amount of Rs 174.81 crore. Moreover, as part of the process, Form-4 (demand notice) notices were issued to 23 persons, Form-5 (recovery notice) notices to 13 persons, and Form-7 (auction/sale notice) notices to five persons. One plot of land has already been auctioned, fetching Rs 11.12 lakh. The amount was deposited into the government account. In total, 25.06 hectares of land have been identified for further revenue recovery action."
"The district is also using drones to strengthen surveillance. Drone surveys were carried out at 21 quarries, uncovering violations at 15 of them. Following the inspections, authorities collected fines to the tune of Rs 84.24 lakh. Action will be taken in the remaining cases," the official added.
In this situation, following the three-month ban on transportation of rough stone and its aggregates to other states from Tamil Nadu, the district administration has intensified security at border check posts from Tuesday. A special team comprising personnel from police, revenue, transport and mining departments was constituted to conduct checks at 29 places along the Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka borders. Six vehicles were seized for illegal transportation of minerals to Karnataka between Tuesday evening and early Wednesday morning, and cases were filed at SIPCOT, Bagalur and the Thalli police station.