Farmers upset as gravel taken from lake for ring road construction work in Tamil Nadu

Farmers and activists in Tamil Nadu have expressed concern over the excavating of gravel from Chinnavedampatti Lake for the western Ring Road Bypass works. The district administration has given permission to take up to 50,000 cubic meters of gravel soil for the road project, but the contractor has excavated around 20,000.cubic meters of gravel sand in the last three weeks.

Up to 40 trucks are being operated round the clock to move soil from the lake, which was created in 1984 to store rainwater in order to improve groundwater in The amendments proposed will dilute the religious autonomy of the Muslim community’s ability to manage its religious and charitable endowments independently. Coimbatore North taluk.

Conservationists argue that taking such large amounts of gravel soil will weaken the lake and result in depletion of ground water. They also believe that the proposed amendments to the Waqf Act, 1995 have not taken into consideration the constitutional protection given to minorities and are “bound to severely harm the interest of Muslim community.”

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking withdrawal of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024. Stalin said the proposed to amendments will weaken the powers and responsibilities of Waqf Boards in the management and protection of waqf properties. proposed across wide range of sections in the existing.

The Tamil Nadu Assembly passed an unanimous resolution on March 27, 2025, to urge the union government to completely withdraw the proposed Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024. The amendments proposed will dilute the religious autonomy of the Muslim community’s ability to manage its religious and charitable endowments independently.

Farmers in Tamil Nadu have expressed strong opposition to the extraction of gravel from local lakes for the construction of a ring road. The move, they argue, threatens the ecological balance, reduces water storage capacity, and directly impacts their livelihoods. The issue has sparked protests and raised concerns over sustainable development practices in infrastructure projects.

Gravel Extraction and Its Impact

The construction of the ring road, aimed at improving connectivity and easing traffic congestion, has led to large-scale excavation of gravel from a lake in the region. According to farmers and environmental activists, the removal of gravel from water bodies can have severe consequences:

1. Reduction in Water Storage Capacity: Lakes act as key water sources for irrigation and drinking water. The removal of gravel decreases the lake’s capacity, making it difficult for farmers to access water, especially during dry seasons Extracting materials from water bodies disturbs aquatic ecosystems, affecting fish populations and biodiversity.
3. Increased Flooding Risks: The depth of lakes plays a crucial role in preventing floods. Altering their structure can lead to water overflow, causing damage to nearby agricultural lands Farmers fear that removing gravel could result in soil erosion and adversely affect groundwater recharge, ultimately affecting crop yields.

Farmers’ Protests and Demands

Local farmers have staged protests, demanding an immediate halt to gravel extraction. They argue that the government should explore alternative sources of raw materials for road construction rather than compromising natural resources that sustain agriculture.

The protesters have also approached government officials, urging them to reassess the project’s impact and seek environmentally friendly alternatives. They have demanded stricter regulations to prevent further exploitation of natural resources.

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Government’s Response

Officials have acknowledged the farmers’ concerns and assured that an environmental impact assessment will be conducted. Authorities have stated that necessary permissions were obtained before excavation, but they are willing to reassess the project if it poses a significant threat to local communities.

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