Abhijith N Kolpe
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru Jul 10: Death of 13-year old Tameem due to drowning at a stone quarry in Adyar Padavu on July 9 only highlights the graveness of illegal quarries which mushroom in different parts of the district, and later turn as death-traps.
Abandoned mines and quarries claim lives of around 30 people a year. Many accidents have occurred in quarries, making it one of the dangerous places for people.
Many people assume quarries to be safe places to swim due to presence of still water. However, the steep drop-offs, deep water, sharp rocks, flooded equipment, submerged wire and industrial waste makes swimming risky here.
Another risk factor is the extreme cold water. Many quarry operations excavate to depths below the water table and use pumps to keep the mine dry while it is in operation. When mining stops, the pumps are turned off and the quarry floods by the inflow of cold groundwater. This groundwater inflow can keep the quarry water very cold even in late summer. Jumping or falling into cold water can be fatal - even for a young healthy person.
Most deaths that occur in abandoned mines and quarries are due to drowning. Most of the people who die in a quarry do not fall by accident. They go for a swim. The water can be dangerously cold and be around 250 to 300 ft deep. With no lifeguards, no rescue equipment, no fencing, no sign boards, a casual swim can turn fatal at any moment.
Quarry business is widely spread in the outskirts of Mangaluru in areas such as Merlapadav, Neermarga, Benjanapadavu, Valachil and Adyar Padav. Neermarga, Benjanapadavu, Merlapadav are famed for red stone quarries. While many quarries continue operations during season, few lie abandoned. Officials may not even be aware about them as they are located in interior areas. Hence, its need of the hour that Mines and Geology department verifies such quarries to curtail such issues.
In the year 2016, a migrant labourer from Bihar drowned in sheltered water of a stone quarry at Valachil. Kishore was working in the stone quarry for two years. After his work, Kishore along with his son went for a bath near the quarry. Unfortunately, Kishore slipped and drowned in the water which was 350 feet deep.
The stone quarry in which the labourer died was an illegal quarry and an FIR had been registered by Bantwal Rural Police against the owner of the quarry. However, to the shock of the localities, operations continued at the quarry the very next day of Kishore’s death, even though it was illegal.
After Kishore’s death, localities complained to Mines and Geology department and then Deputy Commissioner AB Ibrahim regarding the hazards these quarries pose to residents of the areas. However, they allege that the department inspects the spot and stops the work, which resumes again the very next day.
In 2017, a ten year old fell into a stone quarry in Bantwal and died.
Death of Tameem on July 9 can be attributed to the apathetic attitude of the authorities concerned, who have failed to take action in spite of previous accidents.
As per the localities, several illegal stone quarries are functioning in different parts of the district. Loss of life, especially in the rainy season has become a common occurrence at the quarries, they lash out.
Since 2016, the localities have continuously voiced their protest over the illegal stone quarries functioning without any fear in the district. But it is unfortunate that so far there are no measures are taken to curtail activities of illegal quarries and avoid deaths. Officials show no concern regarding dangers and deaths that have taken place since 2016, due to illegal quarries, allege localities.
In order to avoid such instances, the concerned departments need to verify such quarries whether it is legal or illegal and need to restrain illegal activities. Meanwhile, they also need to ensure the quarries functioning with license have taken safety measures to avoid accidents in future.
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