Rise in Cauvery water level halts sand quarrying

TIRUCHY: Water flow in the Cauvery River has brought sand quarrying to a halt in Karur district. As the flow increases, sand quarrying in other delta districts too is expected to be suspended soon.Although water from Mettur Dam was released on June 6, the level had started increasing from Friday, leading to suspension of sand quarrying at Ranganathapuram, Sindhalavadi, Karuppathur and Kallapalli. This has become a cause of concern as sand price is expected to go up in the coming months.  The suspension of quarrying could lead to increase in sand prices leaving those building or planning to build houses, in the lurch, opined builders and construction workers. But, villagers in these areas are relieved as there is no traffic congestion or pollution as the sand lorries and tractors haven’t arrived following the suspension of quarrying.As the level of water in the Cauvery in Tiruchy and other districts is said to rise soon, quarrying could be suspended in the whole region.