Govt plans ban on quarrying near KRS

Authorities concerned serve notice to eight contractors

Senior Geologist of the Department of Mines and Geology, Ramappa told Deccan Herald that the government had already banned quarrying in five km radius of Srikshetra Sharavanabelagola in Channarayapatna taluk of the Hassan district, after some people expressed their anguish over the threat to the monolith statue of Bhagwan Bahubali.

The use of explosives without any objection certificate by contractors from the authorities concerned was worrying the government.

 Taking all these factors into consideration, the government would ban quarrying in five km radius of the reservoir, he added.

The district administration had served notice to those who have bagged contract for the stone quarrying in five km radius of the dam. The villages situated in the ambit are Chikkayarahalli, Bannangadi, Bindahalli and Basthihalli. The government had sought report on mining activities. So, the department was collecting details. The department would recommend to the government to impose a ban on stone quarrying in that region, he noted.

As per the official records, stone quarrying works are being carried out on 291 locations in 458.23 acres in the district. Interestingly, the contractors, who obtained licence, never took NOC from the district administration which is mandatory for the use of explosives. This is illegal and violators are liable for punishment.

In Pandavapura taluk alone maximum of 120 stone quarries are going on in 120 acres, 74 quarries on 144 acres in Srirangapatna taluk, 44 places on 68 acres in Nagamangala taluk, 45 places on 60 acres in Maddur taluk, 12 quarries on 34.5 acres in Mandya taluk, 10 quarries on 12 acres in K R Pet taluk and six quarries on 16 acres of land in Malavalli taluk.