Andaman suspends quarry operations in south Andaman villages

Port Blair, Jun 24 (UNI) The state administration has suspended licenses for quarry operations in Prothrapure village in south Andaman, following complaints from villagers that it was hampering normal life.

During the public audience with the Lt Governor, some people of South Andaman villages complained of inconvenience faced by residents of Brichgunj village and the damage to their homes and property due to the movement of heavy vehicles, crushers and blasting work carried out in Brichgunj, Brooksabad and Prothrapure villages.

The Lt Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands Lt General (Retd) Bhopinder Singh, alongwith a team of senior officers on Friday visited Brooksabad and Brichgunj villages and directed the concerned authorities to take immediate action and assured the villagers that the road will be repaired on priority-basis and there would be no damage to life or property.

He also directed the concerned authorities to carry out a review of all the quarry sites and stone crushers in South Andaman District, sources at Raj Niwas told UNI today.

Meanwhile, it is learnt that the Deputy Commissioner of south Andaman (vide Order No. 646) has ordered closure of the road passing through Brichgunj village for 10-wheeler trucks and truck laden with quarry material with immediate effect.

''These trucks have been directed to use the road at Brooksabad (along the sea shore) to Carbyn's Cove Junction for transport of quarry materials,'' the order said.

The Deputy Commissioner, South Andaman (vide order No 644 and Order no. 645) has also suspended licenses for quarry operations in Prothrapure area with immediate effect and directed the Tehsildar of Port Blair and SHOs concerned to ensure that no crusher is operated without written NOC from the District Office and observance of the requisite condition.

Residents of some South Andaman villages and NGOs were complaining about environmental damage caused by quarry in south Andaman villages, under alleged protection of political lobbies.

UNI