The Department of Mines has slapped a quarry operator with a hefty fine of ₹42 crore for quarrying 40,000 cubic metres of stones in excess of the permissible limit.

Sources said the department officials conducted an inspection in a stone quarry at Singaththakurichi in Srivaikundam taluk a few months ago following complaints of excess mining of stones.

During the inspection, the officials found that over ₹8 crore-worth stones had been mined in excess from the mining area of five acres, as per initial assessment. Hence, a fine of ₹8 crore was imposed on the licence-holder, Dhanapaul.

Objecting it, Dhanapaul filed a petition with the Revenue Divisional Officer, Thoothukudi, claiming that there was no violation in his quarry. He also prayed for a drone survey of the quarry to prove his contention.

When the drone survey was conducted, it was found that over 40,000 cubic metres of stones had been mined in excess of the permitted limit. This fresh finding led to the upward revision of the fine to ₹42 crore, said the sources.

“We have slapped the enhanced fine on the quarry licence-holder despite immense pressure from a former ruling party,” said the sources.