Ban on quarrying partially revoked in Kochi

Kochi: Considering the scarcity of raw material affecting mega infrastructure projects like Kochi Metro Rail in the city, the district administration has partially revoked the ban on quarrying imposed on June 23. District Collector M.G.Rajamanickam had appointed a subcommittee to look into the problems that were likely to come up due to the ban on quarrying in the district. The panel recommended a partial lifting of the ban on certain conditions.

As per the recommendation of the sub-committee, including ADM, Fort Kochi, Muvattupuzha RDO and the district geologist, quarrying will be allowed on days when it does not rain heavily. The District Collector has strictly instructed that quarrying should be done only after removing the loose soil above the granite for which permission should be procured from the authorities concerned.

If it rains continuously for four hours, quarrying should be resumed after a day’s break. Security fences should be erected around the quarry area and quarry operators should also ensure proper drainage in the area. The District Collector warned that the licence of quarry owners would be cancelled if they failed to comply with the norms and strict action would be taken against them.

The district administration had imposed a ban on quarrying in granite quarries on June 23 in view of the monsoon. The decision will help Metro resume its work as shortage of raw material like manufactured sand (m-sand) and granite chips, had hit the work badly. Work had stopped at many Metro sites and the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) submitted a representation to the Collector seeking a relaxation of the ban.

Considering the weak monsoon, there has been a pressing demand from the construction sector to relax the ban partially.