The Karnataka High Court on Friday directed the State government to secure a status report without any delay on allegations about illegal operation of quarrying and stone crushing units causing pollution in two villages near Tippagondanahalli and Manchanabele reservoirs, besides polluting water in the reservoirs.
A Division Bench that included Chief Justice Subhro Kamal Mukherjee issued the direction on a petition filed by Samaja Parivarthana Samithi, an NGO.
The petitioner complained that residents of Chikkanahalli and Ajjanahalli, coming under Tavarakere hobli of Bengaluru South taluk, are facing severe hardship in grazing cattle due to stone particles from the quarrying and crushing units spread across grazing field and agricultural land. Water in the check dams and the reservoirs is being polluted due to the chemicals used in blasting and other operations during quarrying and stone crushing, the petitioner claimed while complaining that the authorities have not acted despite several representations.
Restrain on quarrying
In another petition filed by the Samithi, the Bench passed an interim order directing authorities not to allow any quarrying of building stones in Koira grama panchayat limits in Devanahalli taluk of Bengaluru Rural district.
The petitioner contended that illegal quarrying of building stones is under way in various places, including land belonging to the State and adjacent to ancient temples, though no quarrying licences were issued after 2011. The petition alleges that some local persons are helping carry out of illegal activities in return for ‘incentives’. The officials concerned have remained silent despite submission of a written complaint.