Forum alleges unabated illegal granite quarrying

Quarry denied licence from March 31

The Western Ghats Protection Council (WGPC) has condemned the functioning of the unauthorised granite quarry — WimRock Granites — at Thekkummala at Vadasserikkara in Ranni taluk here even after the local body denying it licence from March 31.

The panchayat authorities had inspected the quarry with police escort a few days ago, following complaints of alleged illegal quarrying. The team, comprising the panchayat secretary and the Circle Inspector of Police, witnessed illegal quarrying in blatant violation of rules and they “once again” ordered closure of the quarry.

However, Avinash Palleenazhikath and M.G. Santhoshkumar, WGPC leaders, alleged that the quarry resumed operations the next day itself.

The Thiruvalla Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) had identified 13 acres of poromboke land under illegal possession and granite quarrying in 2013, the council leaders said. The RDO’s report (No. 34/13/B1, dated 06-04-2013) had stated that a major portion of the granite quarry at Thekkummala was revenue poromboke.

The survey team deputed by the District Collector could identify only 24 cents of poromboke land in possession of quarry operators. The Collector had imposed a fine on the operators for illegally quarrying granite from the 24 cents of land a few months ago.

Meanwhile, Collector S. Harikishore told

The Hindu that the administration had imposed a fine on the quarry operators for illegal quarrying from 24 cents of the revenue poromboke adjoining the quarry.

Closure order was issued recently

Quarry reopened the next day: forum