Human Rights Panel Orders Safety Measures for Ernakulam's Abandoned Quarries
The State Human Rights Commission has ordered the Ernakulam district administration to inspect abandoned quarries and install safety measures. Officials must identify owners and ensure protective fencing, gates, and warning boards are erected within six weeks.
Key takeaways
- The State Human Rights Commission has ordered urgent safety measures, including fencing and warning boards, for abandoned quarries in Ernakulam.
- District officials are tasked with inspecting quarries, identifying owners, and ensuring compliance with safety regulations within a six-week timeframe.
- The District Collector has the authority to use District Mineral Foundation funds for safety installations if quarry owners fail to act.
- The directive follows concerns raised by a newspaper report and a previous drowning incident at a quarry.
The State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has mandated urgent safety installations around abandoned quarries in Ernakulam that pose a risk to the public. The directive follows a report highlighting safety threats from approximately 70 such sites in the district.
What Happened
SHRC Chairperson Alexander Thomas issued an order for site inspections at dangerous abandoned quarries. The administration is required to erect protective fencing, gates, and warning signs. Officials are also directed to identify quarry owners and legally compel them to install these safety features. Should owners fail to comply, the District Collector, acting as the managing trustee of the District Mineral Foundation, is authorized to arrange for the fencing.
Inspections will be conducted by the District Geologist, the Public Works department’s Executive Engineer, the secretary of Thripunithura municipality, and secretaries from several grama panchayats, in conjunction with the Local Self-Government department’s Joint Director and an assistant engineer.
Key Facts
- The State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) ordered safety measures for abandoned quarries in Ernakulam.
- The directive was issued suo motu based on a report detailing safety threats from around 70 abandoned quarries.
- SHRC Chairperson Alexander Thomas issued the order.
- Officials are to conduct site inspections and install protective fencing, gates, and warning boards.
- Quarry owners are to be identified and legally instructed to construct fencing.
- If owners do not comply, the District Collector can use District Mineral Foundation funds for fencing.
- Relevant officials include the District Geologist, Executive Engineer of PWD, and secretaries of Thripunithura municipality and specific grama panchayats.
- The SHRC had previously registered a suo motu case after a drowning incident at Pettamala quarry.
- The Collector reported that quarry safety funds can be used for these installations.
- The Director of Mining and Geology confirmed no legal issues with using District Mineral Foundation funds.
- Reports on actions taken are due within six weeks.
- District officials are summoned to a Commission sitting on November 12 at the PWD Rest House, Pathadippalam.
Background
The SHRC’s action was initiated after a report by The Hindu on safety concerns and a previous suo motu case registered following the drowning of a model in the Pettamala quarry in Mudakkuzha, near Perumbavoor. The District Collector had previously directed the District Geologist to compile a list of dangerous quarries and confirmed that the quarry safety fund could be utilized for protective measures.
What Happens Next
Officials, including the District Collector, District Geologist, and local body secretaries, are required to submit reports on the actions taken within six weeks. Furthermore, specific district officials are summoned to appear in person before the Commission on November 12.
Sources reviewed
Project Chintan independently synthesized and analyzed information cross-checked across the sources listed above.
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