*The Light of Andamans ::: Issue 39 :: 9 September 2006*



*Villagers against polluting quarries*



By Staff Reporter



Port Blair: Residents of Birchganj, Prothroepur and Austinabad have lodged a
strong protest to the chief secretary, deputy commissioner, and the
secretary, environment and forests, SANE etc. about the pollution spread all
around by stone quarries and crushing industries in the villages adjoining
Corbyne's Cove quarry.

Constant blasting, non-stop movement of heavy trucks carrying stone
products, raising dust 18 hours a day and the crushing units dotted along
the road make life hell for the residents of the areas. RCC buildings in
Birchganj and adjoining villages have developed cracks, plasters have
started peeling off, people have developed respiratory problems and any
amount of cleaning would not rid them of dust. It is a virtual hell for the
people of the area.

Constant blasting till late at night had disturbed the sub-strata and wells
and streams have gone dry. The orchards and plantations on top of the
Birchganj hills have started withering effecting considerable crop loss to
the land owners.

Complaints were lodged earlier also. But the contractor lobby is too
powerful for the simple villagers. No complaint registers on the
authorities, lament the villagers.

All the attempts to draw the attention of the authorities have failed so
far. On enquiry, Mr. Rishikesh, Senior Scientific Officer II of Pollution
Control headed by Dr. V. Krishna Murthy, Director & Member Secretary, had
nothing concrete to offer. He said that the department had just received the
joint petition of the villagers and it was 'under process'.

'The Light of Andamans', in its issue of April 08, 2006, had come out with a
graphic report on the environmental havoc created by thirty-five quarries
operating within an area of approximately three square kilometres. There is
an international school right on top of the hill.

In support of their charges against the polluting industry, the villagers
have enclosed a copy of The Light of Andamans' issue of April 08, in the
hope that the administration would respond positively this time.


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