Photo: OTV
Joint raid on stone quarry in Nayagarh
A joint raid was carried out for the second time at the stone quarry at Kasia Hill in Nayagarh district on Thursday. BJD leader and chairman of Bhapur block, Benudhar Pradhan is the leaseholder of the district’s biggest stone quarry.
The raid was carried out after OTV reported how the quarry has become the bane of existence for the residents of nearby Nimani Panchayat due to severe air pollution on account of violation of guidelines.
As per reports, Nayagarh Mines Officer Iswar Pradhan along with other officials of the Forest and Revenue Departments carried out the joint raid. After collecting proper documents from the Nayagarh Forest Department, the joint team carried out the raid. Highly advanced equipment were used by Bhubaneswar ORSAC during the probe.
However, no reactions could be obtained from the officials.
The local people have alleged that stone-laden trucks are plying on the village road round the clock, creating massive air pollution in the area. There are layers of dust on the roofs of the houses and farmlands. With the lands having lost their fertility and productivity, the farmers are at the receiving end. The incessant plying of heavy vehicles is also claiming lives.
Local residents have further alleged that a road to the quarry has been constructed illegally on the forest land and stones are being excavated more than the permissible limit.