Ban On Inter-State Transport Of Rough Stone And Aggregates Extended For 3 Mnths

Chennai:The Tamil Nadu Directorate of Geology and Mining has extended the temporary ban on the inter-state transportation of rough stone and aggregates for an additional three months, effective from October 27. The restriction continues to exempt only the Puducherry and Karaikal districts of the Union Territory of Puducherry.

In an order issued on Monday, Dr. T. Prabhushankar., Director of Geology and Mining, noted that the initial three-month restriction—enacted on July 27, 2026—was set to expire on October 26. The regulatory action was invoked under Rule 3(A) of the Tamil Nadu Prevention of Illegal Mining, Transportation and Storage of Minerals and Minerals Dealers Rules, 2011.

The department stated that the extension was necessitated because the intended objectives of the initial ban had not been fully achieved. The measures were originally framed as a precautionary intervention to ensure an uninterrupted domestic supply of minerals within the state, protect the local ecology and environment, and clamp down on unauthorized quarrying and illegal transit of mineral resources.

Under the revised directive, District Collectors and Superintendents of Police in border districts have been instructed to maintain strict round-the-clock vigil. Relevant field enforcement authorities have been tasked with stepping up checks across interstate checkpoints and sensitizing local stakeholders and transport operators to ensure stringent compliance.

The order warned that any individual or entity contravening the transportation restrictions will face severe penalties and enforcement proceedings under existing mining statutes and associated statutory rules. Copies of the directive were submitted to the Chief Secretary, the Additional Chief Secretary (Home, Prohibition and Excise), and the Principal Secretary (Natural Resources Department) for state-wide monitoring.