Coimbatore: There are more than a thousand families living in Chandrapuram village that is under Solapalayam Panchayat near Pollachi.
Coimbatore: There are more than a thousand families living in Chandrapuram village that is under Solapalayam Panchayat near Pollachi.
Hundreds of villagers besieged the Pollachi Sub-Collector's office on Tuesday and staged a protest since authorities failed to close the quarries which were operating without permission, even after petitions by the villagers.
"There are two privately-owned quarries operating in the village. The use of high-powered explosives to cut stone in the quarry has caused the public to suffer greatly since these stones scatter and fall on nearby houses, farmland, public transportation and the public sector-owned BAP canal. In addition, houses, water tanks and the upper retaining wall of the well are cracked and collapsing. Further, air pollution caused by post-explosive smoke and rock particles causes suffocation and health problems for the general public," opined a villager.
Public has made direct appeals to the Revenue, Minerals, Geology and Pollution Control Department officials in 2018 and the Divisional Officer from the government has personally inspected and banned the operation of the two quarries. Minerals and Public Works Revenue officials inspected the quarry and imposed fines since the quarry continued to operate. The Chandrapuram village council meeting also passed a resolution three times that the stone quarry should not function.
The villagers hence are demanding now that the quarries be closed immediately since the livelihoods and health of people in the area will be affected if the quarries are allowed to operate.
Hundreds of villagers besieged the Pollachi Sub-Collector's office on Tuesday and staged a protest since authorities failed to close the quarries which were operating without permission, even after petitions by the villagers.
"There are two privately-owned quarries operating in the village. The use of high-powered explosives to cut stone in the quarry has caused the public to suffer greatly since these stones scatter and fall on nearby houses, farmland, public transportation and the public sector-owned BAP canal. In addition, houses, water tanks and the upper retaining wall of the well are cracked and collapsing. Further, air pollution caused by post-explosive smoke and rock particles causes suffocation and health problems for the general public," opined a villager.
Public has made direct appeals to the Revenue, Minerals, Geology and Pollution Control Department officials in 2018 and the Divisional Officer from the government has personally inspected and banned the operation of the two quarries. Minerals and Public Works Revenue officials inspected the quarry and imposed fines since the quarry continued to operate. The Chandrapuram village council meeting also passed a resolution three times that the stone quarry should not function.
The villagers hence are demanding now that the quarries be closed immediately since the livelihoods and health of people in the area will be affected if the quarries are allowed to operate.