Bengaluru, | May 27, 2015: The Mines and Geology Department will erect sturdy walls around the 6,000-odd abandoned and live quarries, mines and pits on government and patta lands in the State.
The decision comes in the backdrop of several youths drowning while swimming in quarry ponds without knowing the depth of the water. Recently, five engineering students drowned in the Bettahalasuru quarry in Chikkajala.
To start with, the department will take up barricading activity around the abandoned Bettahalasuru quarry. The project has been entrusted to Nirmiti Kendra, which will erect a rubble wall on 117 acres around the quarry on government land at a cost of Rs 1.24 crore.
According to Tushar Girinath, secretary, Commerce and Industries (Mines), notices have been issued to leaseholders of all existing quarries, pits and mines, to erect rubble walls, and set up watchtowers. If the lease holders fail to do so, their leases will be cancelled with immediate effect and future permits will not be given to them.
In the case of abandoned quarries, mines or pits on government land, the department itself will commission the boundary walls. For this, the Finance department sanctioned Rs 20 crore on April 27, from the Environment Protection Fund (EPF), which was until recently under the Forest, Ecology and Environment department. Over the last few years, Rs 90 crore has been collected under EPF from leaseholders.
Henceforth, EPF will come under the Mines and Geology department, which will utilise the funds for afforestation and compounding and for recharging groundwater in and around the quarries and mines.
Blue waters
None of the quarries, mines or pits in the State is fenced or manned. These quarries house deep ponds which are currently trending as ‘blue waters’, capturing the fascination of youngsters who are seen making bike trips or hikes to such places and many meeting tragic ends.
Following a series of deaths reported in the recent past, the department was pulled up by the High Court which has asked it to put safety measures in place.
Though there are media reports of several drownings at quarries, the department, however, claims that drownings in other water bodies are also reported as quarry deaths. Officials said that aside from the Bettahalasuru drowning, only two other incidents reported have been confirmed.
While three deaths were reported in Tekal in Kolar district, five deaths were reported in Badagedapadavu in Mangaluru a few months back. Officials said that despite warning signs being put up, adventure-seekers ignore it, in some instances even damage the signboards to gain entry into quarries.
(Source: http://www.deccanherald.com/)