Are abandoned quarries in Kerala accident traps? Human Rights Commission steps in after EKM incident

The Kerala State Human Rights Commission (KSHRC) has directed the Ernakulam district administration to inspect 70 abandoned quarries considered accident risks and take urgent steps to install protective fencing, gates and warning boards.

KSHRC Chairperson Justice Alexander Thomas issued the direction in a suo motu case registered after a newspaper report highlighted the dangers posed by abandoned quarries, including those near urban areas.

Owners asked to secure abandoned quarries

The Commission directed authorities to identify the owners of the abandoned quarries and issue statutory directions requiring them to construct protective fencing.

If the owners fail to comply, the district collector, acting as the managing trustee of the District Mineral Foundation Fund, should arrange for the fencing to be installed, according to the order.

The concerned authorities have also been asked to conduct site inspections with the assistance of officials from the Local Self Government Department.

Hazardous quarries identified across Ernakulam

The assessment identified two hazardous quarries in Tripunithura, 10 in Thiruvaniyoor, 12 in Mookkannoor, 10 in Varappetty, nine in Parakkadavu and six in Malayattoor-Neeleeswaram.

The suo motu case followed the recent death of a person in an accident at the Pettamala quarry in Mudakkuzha.

The district collector had earlier informed the Commission that the Quarry Safety Fund could be used to install fencing, gates and warning boards at abandoned quarries.

The collector has also directed the District Geologist to prepare a list of quarries that are in dangerous condition, the Commission statement said.

Funds available for safety work

The Muvattupuzha Revenue Divisional Officer informed the Commission that the Disaster Management Fund and panchayat funds could be used to construct protective fencing.

The Director of Mining and Geology told the Commission that there was no legal impediment to using the District Mineral Foundation Fund for the work.

The Geology Department has also recommended an amendment to the Kerala Minor Mineral Concession Rules to make quarry owners solely responsible for fencing dangerously abandoned quarries.

If owners fail to carry out the work, the District Mineral Foundation Trust could construct the fencing, gates and warning boards and recover the expenditure from them under the Revenue Recovery Act, the department informed the Commission.

Action-taken report sought within six weeks

The Commission has directed the district collector, District Geologist and secretaries of the concerned local bodies to submit action-taken reports within six weeks.

The concerned authorities have also been directed to appear before the Commission during its sitting on November 12, the statement added.