TEAM HERALD
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
PONDA: Villagers from Amadi in Keri-Ponda have alleged that a controversial stone quarry in operation since the last many years has led to sound and dust pollution in the area.
Apart from the Keri Panchayat, the villagers have also got the political backing from the Priol BJP unit, with former BJP MLA Adv Vishwas Satarkar extending his support to the agitation.
Social worker, Govind Gaude, has also assured support to the villagers and said agitation won’t stop until the stone quarry operation is stopped. “Villagers are also affected due to dust from the stone crusher, which is near the stone quarry,” he said.
It may be recalled that villagers since the last many years have been complaining to concerned authorities of the problem faced by them due to the stone quarry. However, authorities after conducting inspection reportedly gave a clean chit to the stone quarry operator, which the villagers have claimed, was manipulated.
According to locals, a fresh complaint was submitted to authorities a month ago and since there was no response, they were forced to agitate. On Tuesday, about 50 villagers assembled at the stone quarry site at Amadi to register their protest.
“The stone quarry has adversely affected life of the villagers and also the environment. I sincerely appeal to the State government to look into the matter,” informed Govind Gaude.
“The firm officials claimed that they have all the permissions, but according to information, they have been manipulated,” said Gaude.
According to sources, Keri panchayat did not issue any NOC to the stone quarry and the panchayat is supporting the villagers to stop the stone quarry. “The panchayat has not issued any NOC to stone quarry. The project is illegal and we have been requesting the authorities to take action. I hope the government will take some action before it is too late,” said ex-panch Amol Kerkar.
Adv Satarkar claimed that the property in which the stone quarry and the stone crusher is in operation belongs to a local from Amadi and the owner has no permission from the property owner.
“Besides sound and dust pollution, even fresh water springs have been affected,” he said.
