Locals Protest Quarry Blasting and Demand Probe in Palakkad

Residents of the Pirayiri and Mambra areas in Palakkad have accused a granite quarry of carrying out illegal mining and heavy blasting that has cracked the walls and roofs of nearby houses. Around 25 homes face risks from the operations, and some families fear they may have to abandon their houses altogether.

Details and Allegations

Locals state that the quarry extracts four to five times more granite than its permitted daily limit and moves the material using about 150 trucks. They claim this activity violates permit rules and environmental clearances, leading to a loss of government revenue. Beyond private homes, residents warn that the blasting threatens a nearby 110-kv electricity transmission line and a government water tank that holds 2.5 million litres. Local representatives including P.P. Sunai, A. Habeeba, S.M. Shamseela and V.K. Shajitha shared these concerns during a press briefing.

Action and Response

Residents report that complaints sent to the District Collector, the District Police Chief, and the local grama panchayat have not brought any effective results. Meetings with officials and the quarry owner also failed to resolve the dispute. People have questioned the quarry owner's claim of having police protection through a Kerala High Court order, noting that the past order lasted only a month and was meant for blasting trials. Meanwhile, individuals identifying themselves as quarry officials have denied any rule violations and stated that the site operates according to existing laws. Residents have demanded a full official inspection and threatened to launch protests if authorities do not take action.

Context

Local residents often rely on administrative bodies and district officials to step in when commercial operations spark safety worries near residential neighborhoods. Such disputes typically center on whether a business is following the exact limits set by its environmental permits and local rules.