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Port Blair, Sept. 10: In spite of making numerous representations to the policy makers in the Andaman Nicobar Administration for shifting of quarries and crushing units, which operates in close proximity to the residential area, there seems to be no response from the Andaman Administration. Instead of closing down the units that violated all safety & pollution control norms, the Administration recently issued a ‘No Objection Certificate’ to them, proving the concern towards the villagers, who have been living amidst dust and noise for almost a decade.
In a letter signed by 50 villagers of Prothrapur addressed to the Chairman Quarry Committee, the villagers wrote, “…it has come to our notice that out of the nine crushing plants namely a) Shri. Manickam & Sons. b) Shri Ramar ( ARM), c) Shri.Karuppiah (KVST). d) Shri.Guruswamy. e) Shri Chellian. f) Smti. Sebastiammal, g) Smti.Uma Devi, h) Smti V. Amuda and i) shri vellakannu, 4 crushing units namely have been favored with by issuing NOC from pollution control board. But the irony is that all crushing units have been continuing their operations”.
Apart from the residential area, there are some of the major Govt. / private institutions which fall within 500 to 1000 meters radius from the point where the crushing units have been set up. These are 1. District Jail, 2. A&N State Co-operative Bank, 3. Secondary School Prothrapur, 4. Mariamman Temple, 5. C.N.I church, 6. Andaman Bottling Co. Pvt. Ltd., 7. Five Hotels, (3 functioning and 2 under construction) and 8. Newly constructed Police Training Academy.
The villagers further wrote, “We would also like to bring to your notice that the entire area is so polluted, dust and fine particles of stone has become our staple diet in our every day meal.
“We have no other alternative, except to approach your Excellency to intervene in this matter immediately as the licensing authority has failed in all respect, to save the lives of people, flora and fauna”.
The villagers therefore demand the Chairman, Quarry Committee to order an enquiry to find out the circumstances under which the crushing units have been issued NOC from the pollution control committee.
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