Sarthak Kanjilal
Port Blair, Mar 03: Over 100 residents of Brookshabad, Birchgunj area held a protest today against the operation of stone crushers in the area. The demonstrators, including women, children demanded the District Administration to stop the stone crushers and Bitumen plant as they create noise and air pollution.
Villagers allege that around 128 houses with 800 population stays in these villages and two mini stone crushers, one big stone plant and a Bitumen plant is operating in the village 24 hours a day due to which the entire village remain covered with dusts, which according to villagers, is resulting in diseases like asthma, skin infection etc. The crusher units also create noise pollution.
“Our pet animals are dying day to day due to the non availability of grass, trees are burning out due to the crusher, Bitumen operation, Black top road is completely damaged due to the movement of heavy trucks with heavy loads of stones, it is getting difficult for our children to go to the school during rainy season,” Mr Rajesh Ram a resident of the village said.
Even after our repeated complaints, the district administration has not taken any action against the crusher and Bitumen operators, which has forced us to protest against the administration. The protesters said.
Mr Vinod Kumar a resident of the village alleged that nearly 15-20 crushers are operating in the overall Birchgunj area and some of the crushers do not even have commercial license, NOC of pollution control committee. He also said that last month on 9/01/2015 the villagers have given a complaint letter to the Deputy Commissioner but till date no action has been initiated.
“We will continue our protest till the administration stops the operation of these crushers and Bitumen plant,” protesters said.
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