Mangalore: BIT opposes stone quarries; locals allege vested interest

Brijesh Garodi
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore

Mangalore, Jan 28: The students of Bearys Institue of Technology (BIT), Innoli, on Tuesday January 28 held a massive protest against the stone quarries located near the college and the hostel premises.

The students, staff and the administrative members visited the spot and held a silent protest by holding banners and placards against the disturbance caused by the quarries and dangers they posed to the students.

Addressing the media, Dr S K Raikar, founder principal and the senior adviser of BIT said, "The college began in 2009 and up to 2011 we had no problem in the surrounding areas, but from the past two years illegal quarries have been functioning in the area  causing nuisance to the college.

"Sound and dust pollution pose serious health problems to the students, as one quarry is located very close to the hostel. The harsh sounds of the machines adds to the noise, disturbing students especially during the exams; the students residing at the hostel cannot concentrate on studies," he said.

The college has already been recognized by the AICTE (All India Council for Technical Education) and VTU ( Vivekananda Technical University), but every year when they visit the campus for inspection, they question about the pollution caused by the quarries, he said.

"We are also unable to get NAAC (National Assessment and Accreditation Council) accreditation due to these issues. We have complained to the geological authority and to the DC and also handed over a memorandum, but in vain," he said.

Rizma Banu, a student of first year said, "We are facing a lot of problem due to the quarrying in the college surroundings. Loud sound and the dust pose a major problem in the premises. Due to the quarry, there are large pits in the area, which again pose danger to lives."

What locals and labourers say

When daijiworld spoke to some of the locals, a different side of the story emerged. Rajesh Shetty Pajeerguthu, a land owner said, "The quarry has been there for almost 45 years. This place is called Padavu, which means a barren or uncultivated land. In the olden days, this place was full of long grass which was used by the locals to cover their huts.

"There were no water sources in the surrounding; hence the land was not used. The quarry land is not illegal, but given on lease or rent by the owners or used by owners themselves for red stone quarrying," he said.

"The red stones are eco-friendly. Even the University College in Hampankatta has been fully constructed with red stones. It is also proven that the land that is left after the red stone quarrying is ideal for agriculture, after it is cured with enough water. Trees also grow well in the quarry lands, once the red stones are removed," he said.

"Around thousand families in the area depend on these quarries for their livelihood, be it contractors, suppliers, coolies, cutters, drivers, lorry owners etc. BIT began only four years ago. The college administration had also wanted to purchase the barren lands to expand their campus. But the owners did not sell their land. So now the college is trying to an create issue out of the quarries. It would have been our mistake if we had started the quarry after their college was constructed, but we have been in this quarry business much before they came here," he said.

"Recently, we had a meeting with the owner of the college. He said that he was doing social service by giving higher education. Accordingly, we demanded him to give free higher education to children of quarry workers after their PUC, but he did not agree. The education here is completely commercialized, hence the talks also failed. Now they are trying to create issues," he alleged.

Speaking to Daijiworld, Puttabba, a veteran worker in the quarry said, "I am a resident of Harekala and have been working in the  quarry here from the past 40 to 45 years. Earlier, we used to extract stones manually with our hands, but later machines took over. This college has just begun 4 years ago and now they are trying to snatch our livelihood."

"My family is dependent on the quarry for our livelihood. I have my wife and three daughters, of whom two are married. What shall I do for my livelihood if they stop the quarry?" he said.

First preference to labourers: U T Khadar

When contacted, health minister U T Khadar said, "This issue has come to my notice and is a serious and complicated matter. We cannot just simply ask the quarry to stop functioning, as there are many labour class people who are dependent on this work for their livelihood."

He added, "I would urge both the parties to sit together and discuss the matter and find a better solution. I have also directed the officials to follow the same. The first preference has to be given to these poor labour class people as it is a question of their livelihood. Then the rest should follow," he said.