Stone crushers causing havoc, residents protest

Mangalore Today News Network

Manipal, April 01, 2016 : Reports indicate, residents of Shivapura staged a protest here on March 31, Thursday, demanding immediate action against the two stone crushing units operating in the area which have created a unending problems.

One resident, said the blasts being carried out in the crusher units have already damaged the walls of the houses in the area. He added that the houses might collapse any time due to the severity of the explosions. Pollution created by the units rendered  fertile agricultural land into barren area. The appeals made to people’s representatives and the district administration has fallen on deaf ears, he claimed.

Another local, said the decision against the stone crusher units was taken in the gram panchayat on August 22, 2015. There are nearly 37 houses within the 500 metre radius from the crusher, he added.

Fomer member of Varanga gram panchayat Srimathi Korapalu said the drinking water is contaminated as the groundwater source is affected badly. The children fear to go to schools due to the blasting. The residents in the area are unable to sleep due to noise pollution and fear.

The protesters submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah through the DC.  They gave the officials time up to April 15 to solve the issue and warned that they would take serious measures if their fair demand was not met.