The Tamil Nadu government has imposed a three-month ban on the transportation of rough stones and construction aggregates, including M-sand, metal jelly and other building materials, to neighbouring states, citing rising domestic demand fuelled by rapid infrastructure and housing development. The restriction applies to Karnataka, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh, while the Union Territories of Puducherry and Karaikal have been exempted.
The decision was taken after a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Vijay with senior officials on Tuesday. According to the government order, rapid urbanisation and infrastructure growth in Tamil Nadu have led to a sharp rise in the demand for construction materials.
The order stated that the current output of rough stone and aggregates from operational quarries within the state is insufficient to meet the growing domestic demand generated by infrastructure, housing and industrial development projects.
The government said that the large-scale transportation of construction materials to neighbouring states has further stretched local supplies, creating what it described as an artificial supply-demand imbalance and pushing up construction material prices. It said the temporary restriction was necessary to ensure adequate availability for ongoing public and private infrastructure projects within Tamil Nadu.
The order also noted that rough stone is not a scarce mineral in Karnataka, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh, suggesting that the temporary export restriction would have only a limited impact on those states.
To ensure strict implementation of the ban, district collectors and superintendents of police in border districts have been instructed to closely monitor transportation, coordinate with departments regulating mineral movement and conduct awareness campaigns to ensure compliance.
The government warned that violations would attract strict action under the Tamil Nadu Prevention of Illegal Mining, Transportation and Storage of Minerals and Mineral Dealers Rules, 2011, along with other applicable laws.
Kerala seeks exemption for highway projects
Following the order, Kerala Chief Minister Satheesan wrote to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay seeking urgent intervention and requesting exemptions for the transport of construction materials required for key infrastructure projects.
In his letter, Satheesan said the restrictions had significantly affected the movement of stone aggregates from Tamil Nadu's Tirunelveli, Tenkasi and Kanniyakumari districts, which are the primary suppliers for several National Highway projects in Kerala.
He pointed out that Kerala has limited reserves of suitable stone aggregates and warned that the restrictions had disrupted the supply chain, raising the possibility of delays in strategically important highway projects.
According to the Kerala Chief Minister, these projects are vital for improving regional connectivity, boosting trade and tourism, and enhancing access to the Vizhinjam International Seaport and the International Container Transshipment Terminal at Vallarpadam.
While acknowledging Tamil Nadu's efforts to manage its natural resources sustainably, Satheesan urged the state to establish a mechanism or provide exemptions for the uninterrupted transport of stone aggregates meant exclusively for National Highway and other nationally significant infrastructure projects in Kerala.
He expressed confidence that the issue could be resolved through cooperation between the two states while balancing Tamil Nadu's domestic construction needs with the requirements of critical national infrastructure projects.
