Government not to re-issue licence for stone quarrying in vicinity of airport

Minister for Mines and Geology Vinay Kulkarni on Friday said the government has decided not to issue licences for stone quarrying and crushing activities at Bettahalsoor and Ranganbande in Bengaluru North additional taluk as these places are located close to the Kempegowda International Airport.

Replying to M Narayan­aswamy of the Congress in the Legislative Council, he said that conducting quarrying is considered unsafe for aircraft operations. “Dust rising from quarry reduces visibility.

The airport authorities had requested the government not to allow quarrying in the airport vicinity. Hence, the government cancelled the licences in 2012,” he added. Narayanaswamy had urged the government to re-issue the licences as hundreds of families depending on quarrying for their livelihood had been rendered jobless.