Karnataka to allow resumption of quarry, crushing ops

Karnataka government has decided to allow operations to resume at all quarry and crusher units that were shut after the recent explosions at Shivamogga and Chikkaballapur.

Mines & Geology Minister Murugesh Nirani on Monday said that the closure of units had led to job losses and impacted the state’s revenue.

“The owners of quarry and stone crushing units will have to give an undertaking to the authorities that they would abide by existing rules and regulations,” Nirani said.

“Owners licenses from the Director General of Mines Safety (DGMS) will be given a 90-day deadline to avail licenses for blasting in their quarries,” the minister said, adding that only 250 of the 2,500-odd quarries and crushing units hold blasting licenses currently.

“Almost all stone quarries and crusher units have stopped operations following the tragic incidents at Shivamogga and Chikkaballapur districts. The state exchequer has suffered a loss of more than Rs 300 crore due to their closure," Nirani said. The prices of construction raw materials have also suddenly skyrocketed in the market due to the closure, inconveniencing citizens, the minister added.

Read: Explosion at quarry site in Karnataka: NGT directs committee to submit report

Two separate blasts - one in January at Shivamogga and another in February at Chikkballapur - killed 12 labourers who were employed in the quarries.

The owners of quarries and crushers have laid off a large number of workers as they are unable to maintain the stalled units.

Nirani also said that his department would ease the process of obtaining permits. “It is mandatory for quarries and crushing units to obtain permits from the DGMS. But the owners are finding it very difficult to purchase, store and blast explosives due to tough regulations. The Mines & Geology Department has decided to ease the process by changing the present guidelines," he said.

Responding to queries, Nirani said that those without licenses can enter into agreements with quarries that possess the DGMS license for blasting purposes. Deputy Commissioners of districts are directed to approve these temporary arrangements between the units during the 90-day period set for securing DGMS licenses, he said.