In the fertile foothills near Tirupattur, tension is mounting as villagers from Kalliyur, Madapallam, and Malripatti unite against a proposed stone quarry they say threatens their way of life. For weeks, preliminary work has quietly advanced in Thengal village, stirring unease among those who depend on the land.

Key facts

  • Villages involved: Kalliyur, Madapallam, Malripatti
  • Protest location: Thengal village near Kalliyur
  • Primary concerns: Groundwater depletion, damage to farmlands and infrastructure
  • Current quarries in district: Approximately 100, mostly stone quarries

Why the Opposition Runs Deep

These aren’t just any protesters—they’re farmers, deeply connected to soil and water. Kalliyur village alone cultivates some 1,200 acres, relying on two lakes and several ponds for irrigation. The proposed quarry, residents argue, could drain aquifers and rupture pipelines and roads essential for survival.

“Most residents here are farmers depending on groundwater. This quarry risks everything—our water, our roads, our future,” said R. Sugumar, a local resident.

A District Already Carved by Quarries

Tirupattur is no stranger to extraction. According to TNPCB officials, about 100 quarries—mostly stone—already operate across Ambur, Kandali, Jolarpet, Natrampalli, and Tirupattur itself. But for these villagers, enough is enough.

Protest and Pacification

The standoff came to a head around 10 a.m. when residents gathered, voices raised against the project. Revenue officials and Natrampalli police arrived, urging calm. After assurances from authorities, the crowd dispersed—peaceful, for now, but far from satisfied.