Quarrying to stop in Jajpur hillock

The State Government has directed the district Collector of Jajpur to close down all the stone quarries at Dankari hillocks under Dharmasala tehsil as the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas will establish an underground oil reserve project at a cost of Rs 5,000 crore at Dankari.

After getting the letter from the State Government, the district administration has swung into action to shut down all the quarries.

"We will soon close down all the 16 stone quarries at Dankari as per the order of the State Government. Each year, we get Rs 1,300 crore revenue from the quarry lease holders. After the end of their lease period, we will not renew their leases to lift black- stone from Dankari hill," district Collector Ranjan Kumar Das said.

Earlier local activist Sarbeswar Behuria and others of Dankari had demanded before the Government to shut down all the stone quarries.

They also demanded immediate arrest the quarry mafias who have been illegally quarrying in the hillock. "We demanded before the authorities many times to stop the illegal quarry but in vain. Large scale of illegal quarrying has been posing serious danger to the villagers. Though three persons have legally obtained lease from the district administration to lift stones but around 30 persons have been illegally doing stone quarry works. After the establishment of oil reserve, many locals will get jobs," said Behuria.

Many locals alleged that the illegal quarries operating across the areas were creating environment pollution and wanted the Government to take action against them. Local people, especially women, were on agitation path demanding closure of illegal stone quarry works in the area.

Stringent action would be taken against quarries operating in the area without due licence from the Pollution Control Board.

Instructions have been given to police to arrest all the illegal quarry owners, said the Collector.