Team Herald
Mapusa: Nearly a year after the tragedy at Tuem, wherein four school students drowned in a laterite quarry, it appears that the authorities are still in deep slumber and have turned a blind eye to the pits, which are still kept open.
With the monsoon set to arrive on June 6, the non-fenced pits will be filled with water, which will attract more people and animals thereby leading to further tragedies.
Expressing their disappointment, Pernem locals complained that all quarry pits are still lying open and no action has been taken by the concerned authorities and the owners. It’s a huge threat to the residents of these areas especially the youth.
They added that it is mandatory that the concerned owner should fill up the pits immediately after the mining is done, but here as a precautionary measure, the owners have even failed to fence the area.
“For years young boys have lost their lives after drowning in these pits. The last year’s incident was an eye opener for the authorities, but as usual the authorities have done nothing. It’s been a year, the pits are lying open for animals and people especially to fall prey to,” Bhagwan Raut, a resident said.
Meanwhile, sources in the Mamlatdar’s office claimed that after conducting the survey, PWD were directed to fence all the quarries, however, the work has not commenced due to lack of funds.
