Villagers Demand Hearing On Quarrying At Kavkukunta; Near Affected Sites
Villagers affected by granite quarrying have urged officials to hold the
Affected villagers have sought that the environmental public hearing over proposed quarrying by Amar Granite be held at Kavkukunta village near Uralova of Anakapalli district, rather than at the panchayat office in Vommali Jagannadhapuram.
Officials have scheduled the environmental hearing on September 10 at 11 a.m. However, residents affected by quarrying maintain that it would be more appropriate to hold the meeting at Kavkukunta, which is just 600 metres from the proposed excavation site.
Residents of Kavkukunta, Buddi Banda, and Kommiri villages point out that nine granite quarries in Uralova revenue area have already caused significant damage in the area. They cited the demolition of structures near the village goddess temple, destruction of homes, and crop losses due to white dust settling on their fields.
Villagers report sleepless nights because of quarrying operations. Further, they question why granite revenue is allocated to Vommali Jagannadhapuram village, while it is they who are suffering the consequences.
The first company in the area Galaxy Rock began quarrying operations in 2003. Ten other organisations followed. Locals remember promises made during initial village meetings, which included establishing mineral water plants, planting trees along roadsides, setting up medical camps, constructing school buildings, providing CSR funds, and ensuring minimum wages for labourers.
Villagers point out that none of these promises has been fulfilled. Even the dilapidated MPP School building in Kommiri panchayat remains neglected despite villagers seeking CSR support from the quarrying companies.
Residents report that after 23 years of continuous mining, entire hills have been levelled. But they have not been provided any basic facilities. They have requested AP Pollution Control Board officials and the Anakapalli joint collector to spend a night in Kavkukunta and Buddi Banda to witness their hardships first-hand.
CPM district executive committee member K. Govinda Rao and Girijana Sangham leader Solamu Rajababu have called for an immediate visit by the joint collector to address their grievances.
