THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The district administration has decided to launch a comprehensive probe into the functioning of the quarries in the district. A team headed by deputy collector V. Vinod will conduct the probe in the wake of the recent mishap at a quarry at Kunnathukal that was functioning without licences. The decision was taken at a meeting convened by district collector K. Vasuki here on Monday to discuss the steps to be taken to curb illegal quarries in the district. Parassala MLA C.K. Hareendran also attended the meeting.
The inquiry team will look into issues like water pollution, environmental hazards and other health problems posed by quarries. Officials of health, revenue, mining and geology and panchayat departments will be part of the team. The district administration has conducted raids at 79 quarries and initiated actions against their illegal working.
The respective revenue officials were also directed to conduct a survey at the quarrying sites to find encroachments and submit report before December 15. The district collector had earlier directed all quarry owners to submit an affidavit regarding their respective quarries and safety measures being taken and also the latest pictures of the quarries and attend a meeting at the district collectorate on December 8.
