KARWAR: The people of Karwar are a worried lot with the restrictions on transportation of iron ore and other activities related to its export, which were imposed by the district administration during the monsoon, set to be lifted on October 1.
The lifting of the ban is particularly worrying for those who live near National Highways 63 and 17 and the ports of Belekeri and Karwar.
Nearly 20,000 residents of Karwar, Ankola and Yellapur taluks have been suffering from various respiratory diseases for the last five year, when the export of iron ore started from Karwar and Belekeri ports, according to a report of the health department.
Iron ore is often stacked unscientifically.
It is also transported in an unsafe manner, without the lorries being covered properly with tarpaulin. Besides, the lorries are driven in a rash manner.
All these lead to disease and accidents.
Recently, the people of Binaga near here had submitted a memorandum to the deputy commissioner, demanding that the stacking of iron ore be banned in the village. Now, it is the turn of the residents of Belekeri to raise their voices in protest.
The villagers have formed the Belekeri Village Roadside People’s Pollution Control Society to save their area from being polluted further by the transportation of iron ore through it. The organisation has urged the deputy commissioner to solve the problems of the villagers before allowing the transportation of iron ore through the area and its export from Belekeri port.
The residents of Belekeri have warned that they would intensify their agitation if the district administration does not heed their demands.