One of the quarry ponds in ParambuzhaKottayam: Local bodies have raised concerns over the danger posed by 165 abandoned quarry ponds in the district which have turned death traps. In a report submitted to the district collector, they pointed out that 20 deaths due to drowning were reported from these quarries over the last three years. Six of the victims were students who entered the water to enjoy a swim. None of these quarry ponds has protective walls, which increases the risk, the report said.
Fund available to build walls
Under the Mining and Geology Rules, since 2015, it is mandatory to make safety arrangements for issuing permits to quarries. Quarry owners also pay a sum as ‘Quarry safety fund’ to the government. According to the rules, money from the fund is to be utilised for setting up facilities to ensure safety at the quarries when they are abandoned.
The money deposited by quarry owners is kept in a special fund of the Collector. The district geologist said that this fund will be utilised to build protective walls around quarry ponds.
Three persons had drowned in the quarry pond in Karikkode situated in Mulamkulam panchayat.Meanwhile, the police warned land owners of action if they fail to make arrangements for safety in quarry ponds.
A deadly attraction
With schools and colleges closed for summer vacation, quarry ponds are attracting students in dozens. The youngsters enjoy a bath in the water, engage in fishing and find the ideal spot for clicking selfies. All these activities pose a big risk. Most students plan an outing to the quarries without the knowledge of their guardians.
In most tragic cases, the youngsters who are good swimmers enter the water first. This attracts the others, who may not able to judge the depths of the quarry, to the pond, leading to drowning. Often, people who cannot swim also jump into the water in a frantic rescue effort, leading to more casualties.
What the law says
According the Mining and Geology rules of 2015, the earth removed for quarrying should be stored at a spot nearby. After the rock below is blasted and transported, the quarry is no longer productive. The law says that in such a situation, the pit formed as a result of quarrying should be filled with the stored earth. Failure to do so can invite severe measures, according to officials in the geology department. The action against quarries can be taken by the district administration, local bodies and revenue department.
Take care in these areas
• In Kottayam district, the highest number of dangerous quarry ponds is at Parambuzha area in Perumbayikkad village. Along the Parambuzha – Kanjirappallippadi – Plakkippadi road, there are nine abandoned quarries in an area of barely five acres.
• There are over 10 quarries in Kangazha panchayat which have no protective walls. At Rural Kavala, there are three quarries, in Mundathanam two and in Pandiyakuzhi, Kanjirappara and Kanam Mappilakunnu one each. Three lives have been lost in the quarry pond in Kanjirappara so far.
• In Nedumkandam panchayat, only two of the 20 quarries have surrounding walls. There are two ponds in Kalloli, six at Chelakkombu, one at Moolekkunnu, two at Nedumkunnam Pallippadi, two at Kocholikkal, two at Devagiri and one at Aranappara.
• Two years ago, three persons had drowned in the quarry pond in Karikkode situated in Mulamkulam panchayat. Even after this tragedy, no wall has been built here. But a warning board has been installed.
• There is no wall around the quarry near Pothi overbridge adjacent to the panchayat road. The area is overgrown with vegetation and this increases the risk of danger.
• A tourist had drowned in the quarry pond at Kattikkayam, Moonnilavu a year ago. Three persons had died in three separate incidents at Marmala Aruvi in Theekoyi.
• A couple riding on a scooter fell into a quarry pond adjacent to the Pallikkathodu–Moozhoor–Kaniparambu road. The woman died. However no protective wall has been built, only a temporary fence put up.
Read: Kottayam News | Kerala News
