District Collector Seeram Sambasiva Rao has appointed an expert committee to scientifically study environmental issues and impact of the proposed quarry project at Chengottumala in Kottur panchayat, where residents have been protesting against the project citing violation of rules.
The committee, comprising officials from the National Institute of Technology-Calicut; Centre for Water Resources Development and Management; and Department of Forests, Geology and Soil Conservation, will submit its report in two weeks. Representatives from the Centre for Environment Studies too would give their input.
The expert committee was entrusted with the study subsequent to the Collector’s meeting with Chengottumala Samrakshana Samiti leaders on Thursday to discuss the issue. The Collector called for conciliation talks as the action committee members were on an indefinite strike on the premises of the Kottur grama panchayat with a demand to reject licence to the quarry project in the area. The strike was called off as the Collector agreed to visit the area and study the environmental issues before taking a final decision on the project.
On Friday, a hearing earlier planned under the single window system to consider the licence request for the quarry was held at the Collectorate. Officials representing various government departments were present at the hearing chaired by the Collector. Though there were demands on the part of the Chengottumala Samrakshana Samiti to postpone the hearing, it was not considered citing legal issues. At the hearing, the application for the licence was handed over to the Kottur grama panchayat secretary for taking further action.