Special team seeks permission for trial blast at KRS

Farmers’ organisations have opposed warned of protests if trial blasts are permitted

A team of geologists from Jharkhand, who have been studying the impact of stone blasting around Bebi Betta on Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) dam, has sought permission from the government to conduct trial blasts at three places.

The CSIR-CIMFR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research - Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research), team has identified three places for the trial blast and has sought permission for the same. The team has returned assuring of visiting the place after a month and has suggested the authorities not to give permission for quarrying activities in the region, till then.

Deputy Commissioner S Ashwathi said, “The team was of the opinion that there was a need for a trial blast. A letter would be written to the government seeking permission. Trial blasts would be conducted only if permission is granted.”

However, the farmers’ organisations have opposed the same and warned of protests if trial blasts are permitted.

There are also allegations that the mine owners are hatching a conspiracy to limit the banned area from 20 km to 10 km.