Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (PS)
Mangalore, Sep 28: Following the Supreme Court order for closure of crusher units in the state, the Quarry Owners Association (Dakshina Kannada and Udupi District) involving 200 members are forced to close their units.
The crusher units have shut down their operation since last Saturday, informed Manoj Shetty, president of the association at a press conference held on Thursday September 27.
With the closure of crusher units, infrastructure development oriented industries like real estate industry, road works are expected to face a severe setback, he said and added they would appeal to the Supreme Court for re-consideration of the judgment.
Judicial intervention came in view of alleged pollution caused from the crusher units.
Manoj Shetty claimed in the press meet that NOC (no objection certificate) and clearance from the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board have been obtained from them and strictly adhered to the rules, guidelines and safety measures prescribed by the government authorities.
He added that units were operating without causing any air and noise pollution to the environment. Moreover the industry was contributing a substantial amount of royalty due to the government and generates an employment of upto 60,000 workers.
He coined the direction to create a safety zone which lacked detailed scientific and statistical study of viability or feasibility such as approach roads, availability of water, electricity supply, housing, proximity to the quarry etc which leads to extra transportation cost and extra overheads resulting in increased cost of production.
He urged that the closure order issued by the government has to be revoked immediately for the survival of the industry and resume construction works smoothly.
Asked about the situation of crusher units which are more in numbers in Bangalore, Manoj Shetty said that the SC order was applicable across the state, hence those who are continuing with the operations are causing a breach in law.
K C Kamath, vice president, Quarry Owners Association, K C Naik, founder secretary of CREDAI Mangalore, Mohammed Ameen, president of KCCI among others were present during the press meet.