Date:10/05/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/05/10/stories/2007051016230100.htm

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Pollution from stone crushing units kicks up dust

L. Renganathan

Villagers urge Karur district administration to rein in the menace

KARUR: The public of Kolandapalayam and Anjur villages in Karur district have upped the ante in the struggle against stone crushing units that pollute the region with their dust. They have now petitioned the Karur district administration seeking to rein in the polluters. Following their plea, officials have promised to look into the matter.

Unable to put up with continued pollution caused by a handful of stone crusher units in the vicinity, Kolandapalayam and Anjur villagers had petitioned various authorities in the past seeking a remedy to their woes.

Health hazard

Their main grouse is that the dust from the units have affected the health causing bronchial and dermatological diseases among humans and cattle apart from affecting their once-fertile agricultural lands abutting River Noyyal. Dust from the crusher units settle on the houses and trees proving sort of a snow cover to them.

They claim that the crusher unit operators had dumped the waste crusher dust on the river constricting its course. Crops including sunflower, paddy and groundnut over several acres have failed to germinate affecting productivity, they allege and also claim that the water sources have been irreparably damaged. They want the authorities to find a remedy to their miseries.

Threat to bridge

That apart, a stone quarry that is hardly 500 metres away from a new bridge constructed across the Noyyal is threatening the bridge itself, they allege. Shooting stones, that the villagers liken to shrapnel, from the particular stone quarry fly and fall at the near by dalit colony damaging their huts apart from hurting the people, residents say.

Panel formed

Listing their woes, villagers gave a representation to the district administration seeking relief. Taking note of their plight, Collector T.N. Venkatesh said a committee comprising the Karur Revenue Divisional Officer, Deputy Director (Mines), District Environmental Engineer from the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, Executive Engineer (PWD) and Aravakurichi Tahsildar has been formed to look into their grievances. They would visit the area and suggest appropriate remedial actions, he assured the villagers. Mr. Venkatesh also stated that already some of the crushed dust dumped on the Noyyal riverbed has been removed and further measures would be taken. Specific complaints would be taken up, he assured.