Goa: Uguem locals demand closure of stone quarry site

October 9, 2021
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Goa: Uguem locals demand closure of stone quarry siteQUEPEM: More than 200 Uguem locals again marched to the basalt stone quarry site demanding immediate stopping of all activities at the spot, stating that around 60 houses have developed cracks due to blasting.

Earlier, Uguem locals, in a complaint to the Mines and Geology Department, had urged authorities to shut down quarries that are functioning without valid lease from the department. The copy of the complaint was also addressed to the Goa State Pollution Control Board, chief minister, South Goa collector and Sanguem police.

Mines department officials conducted a second site inspection within 10 days on Friday. They, along with Sanguem police, also inspected around a dozen houses near the quarries which have developed cracks due to blasting.

Melwyn Cab, a local, said that around 60 houses in the vicinity of the five quarries have developed cracks.

“We are scared to stay in our houses as the structures vibrate during the blasting, while cracks have developed on most of the walls. We are also facing noise pollution, but the authorities, including pollution board, have failed to take cognisance of our compliant. Even the chief minister during his visit to Uguem had assured us to stop the quarries,” said Cab.

Sanjay Parwar, panch member of Uguem panchayat, said that government should not force the people to come on the road. “We will not allow trucks to ply on the road if the government does not listen to people’s grievances of the people,”he said .

Dhananjay Kumar, a mines department official, told TOI that they will submit the inspection report of houses and quarries to higher authorities, who will analyse it and accordingly initiate action.

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