KOCHI: Tucked away in a picturesque village of Ayyampuzha, the recently shut Thattupara quarry had been a battlefield of heated protests by the residents of the region against the quarrying activities carried out by GK granites and crystal granites. The 22-year-old quarry had until recently been mired in allegations of misconduct and corruption. The company has strongly countered the allegations.
“The repeated explosions from the quarry are like mini earthquakes and cause damage to our homes. Cracks have started appearing on the walls and there is always the danger of rocky projectiles flying in from the quarries,” says Samara Samithi convener Benny. “Moreover, they have also encroached upon the no man’s land as well as land which belongs to the ancient Thattupara St Thomas church situated close to the quarry,” he notes.
The company officials counter the claim by saying that all mining activities are being done by qualified mine managers and that too in complete adherence to safety norms.
“Cracks have not appeared in the staff quarters that we have built close to the quarry. If these buildings have not been damaged by quarrying operations then it is impossible that the buildings which are situated so far away would be affected,” company officials claimed.
The protesters claimed that the perpetual noise from the quarry are also a source of disturbance to the residents there. “Heavy vehicles like the Taurus pass through the roads day in and day out. The sound of these vehicles combined with the never ending explosions have forced the residents to spend sleepless nights,” they allege.
The protesters alleged that the company is also pumping out effluents. This effluents that seep into the paddy fields located in the valley are making the land infertile.
“The company takes utmost care in ensuring that no effluents are discharged from the quarrying site. During downpour, the rain water mixes up with the waste from areas situated higher up and flows down into the valley. There is nothing we can do about that,” company officials said. While the protesters claim that the company has registered more than 20 false cases against them, officials pointed out that the police has failed to take action against anti-social elements who attacked the workers in the quarry.
Need for administrative clarity
When this reporter visited the homes of some nearby residents, they pointed out the cracks that have developed in the ceilings and blamed it all on the quarrying operations being carried out by GK granites.
“Even if we want to sell, no one is willing to buy,” said a resident near the area. “Apart from the danger of the projectiles, polluted air has resulted in a drastic rise in lung diseases amongst the residents,” she added. Resentment runs high amongst the Ayyampuzha residents as to the response of the authorities and their own panchayat representatives on the issue. The protesters claim that the panchayat representatives have received huge amounts as bribe from the company.
The company officials, however, negate this allegation and asserted that the panchayat officials had demanded huge bribe in return for renewing their licenses. As the deadlock continues, violent skirmishes have begun to erupt between the workers and the residents of Ayyampuzha. It is high time that the authorities intervene with fresh and inclusive surveys in order to bring in at least some semblance of administrative clarity and transparency to the proceedings.
Bureaucratic muddle
The company was issued a stop memo in 2012 following a report compiled by Ayyampuzha village officer. The report, a copy of which ‘Express’ has in its possession, noted that the company has violated several government regulations. Following the report, a survey conducted by the Aluva Tehsildar had also highlighted the issue of possible encroachment into Puramboke land.
“It was impossible to identify any encroachments at that time due to the highly uneven terrain where the quarry is located in,” said Padmakumar, the then Aluva Tehsildar, assuring that further surveys were conducted before a decision was reached. The stop memo was nullified the same year after due deliberations by the authorities such as the then Ernakulam District Collector and RDO whose reports vindicated the company of any regulatory violations. While the protesters alleged foul play in the nullification of stop memo, the company officials claimed that the report by the village officer was a concerted attempt at besmirching its image.
In a written statement, the company noted that it possessed all necessary documents such as certifications from Pollution Control Board, Mining and Geology department, Taluk Survey, District Collector and all such authorities. In April 2014, the Ayyampuzha panchayat refused to renew the company’s license for quarrying operations. However, the company procured a stay order from LSG Tribunal and the authorities eventually renewed its license. The protesters claim that the licence was renewed as per a tactical understanding between the panchayat and the company officials. “The LSG Tribunal merely issued a stay order. The panchayat could still have refrained from renewing their license. Why all this drama?” says Benny. ‘Express’ managed to track down the village officer, Vinod, who had compiled the earlier report in 2012. “As per government regulations, every quarry requires a certificate by the Pollution Control Board, permits in accordance with the Land Conservancy Act, explosives regulation and permits from the Mining and Geology departments. I don’t think any quarry in Ayyampuzha area is properly regulated in accordance with these laws,” he said. The company officials rubbish the report, pointing out that they were fully licensed and certified by the concerned authorities for carrying out quarrying operations in the area.