Mon Dec 08 13:09:29 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and rewrite of the provided text as a news article:
Summary:
Residents of Gandheeswaram Pudhur are petitioning against a newly permitted stone quarry near their village, citing potential damage to their farming and water resources. The Then Thamizhar Katchi is demanding the immediate commencement of a sanctioned rail overbridge at Kulavanigarpuram to alleviate traffic congestion. Farmers are seeking compensation for black gram crops damaged by recent heavy rains.
News Article:
Tirunelveli Residents Voice Concerns Over Quarry, Demand Infrastructure Improvements, and Seek Crop Loss Relief
TIRUNELVELI, INDIA – December 8, 2025 – A series of petitions were filed with Collector R. Sukumar at the Tirunelveli Collectorate on Monday, highlighting various concerns from residents across the district.
Villagers from Gandheeswaram Pudhur, located near Maanur, are appealing for the cancellation of a recently approved stone quarry. Residents argue the quarry, planned for Chezhiyanallur village panchayat, threatens their agricultural livelihoods and water supply. Despite objections voiced during a Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board public hearing on November 25th, preliminary work on the quarry has already begun.
“Our community relies on 100-year-old wells and a rain-fed pond for farming,” explained one villager. “Quarrying will deplete our groundwater, and the dust will destroy our crops and livestock fodder, forcing us to migrate.”
Meanwhile, the Then Thamizhar Katchi has submitted a petition demanding the immediate start of construction on a “Y”-shaped rail overbridge at the Kulavanigarpuram manned level crossing. The organization says that the overbridge was sanctioned a year ago by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin but it has not yet started construction. The existing level crossing on the Thiruvananthapuram High Road is closed 14 times daily, causing significant traffic congestion. “Vehicles are forced to wait in kilometer-long queues whenever the crossing is closed,” said E. Pandi, Tirunelveli district secretary of Then Thamizhar Katchi.
Farmers, represented by D. Abraham, Tirunelveli district secretary of the Tamil Nadu All Farmers’ Associations Coordination Committee, are seeking compensation for damaged black gram crops. Recent heavy rains have devastated rain-fed crops near Maanur in the villages of Kaanaarpatti, Irandumsollaan, and Ilanthaikulam. “The downpour destroyed the crops before harvest,” stated Mr. Abraham. “Farmers have suffered huge losses and deserve compensation.”
The Collector’s office has yet to issue a formal response to the petitions.
First Piper 