Unused quarry pits to be fenced in Mangaluru

Mangaluru: In order to ensure that quarry pits do not turn into death traps during the monsoon, officers of the department of mines and geology have taken up the task of fencing old and empty quarries in the district.

These measures come in the wake of a mishap resulting in drowning of five children last year the deputy commissioner had ordered the department of mines and geology along with the revenue department to take preventive measures by filling abandoned pits. This task is likely to be completed in a week according to official sources.

Though initially the idea was to fill old pits, officials have now decided to fence them, too. “There is not enough soil available to fill the pits. Further, these pits can be useful in recharging the ground water and help in rain water harvesting. Thus, the department is fencing the pits,” sources said adding “the deputy commissioner has asked the executive officers and Tahsildars to complete the work in their respective areas. The work of fencing all old pits is in progress and is likely to be completed by the end of this week,” Mr Ramappa, deputy director, department of mines and geology, told Deccan Chronicle.

He said “money in the corpus of the department will be utilised for  fencing all old pits in government land.” About Rs 8 lakhs has been provided to Mangaluru taluk, Rs 5 lakhs each to Bantwal and Puttur and Rs 2 lakhs each to Sullia and Belthangady.