The Parsem panchayat had affixed a signboard in 2013 cautioning people of the deep water at an excavation site.
PERNEM
When four students drowned in a quarry at Tuem-Pernem in 2019, there was an uproar in the taluka and leaders and locals had pushed for the sealing or fencing of these quarries to prevent further loss of lives in Pernem taluka.
However, little has been done to ensure safety at these quarries and they continue to pose a risk to youth and visitors unaware of the dangers of the water bodies.
Given the huge demand for laterite stones in the construction sector, there are a number of laterite stone quarries in Tuem, Parsem, Mandrem, Ashwem, Keri, Korgao, Agarwada, Dhargal, Virnoda, Varkhand, Patradevi, Vazri and Casarvarnem.
Many of these quarries have claimed a number of lives in recent years, which included four students in Tuem and two youth in Parsem.
After the tragedies, leaders and government officials were quick to make announcements, promising to take action to seal the quarries and prevent further loss of lives.
The Parsem panchayat had also affixed a signboard in 2013 cautioning people of the deep water at an excavation site. Some suggestions included fencing to prevent access or filling up the abandoned quarries. However as the days, weeks and months passed, there was little action to implement these promises.
When contacted, Tuem Sarpanch Sulaksha Naik said there are a number of quarries in the village, but the panchayat can do little to seal the quarries.
“After four students lost their lives in a quarry in Tuem, the panchayat had made efforts to seal off or fill up the quarries. However, locals were reluctant to allow this and claimed that these quarries were in private property. As a result, only a signboard was affixed and a security guard was posted there for a short while,” said Naik.
“The panchayat can do little in the matter. If locals want these queries to be sealed, the panchayat would surely support their demand.”
Tuem Dy Sarpanch Nilesh Kanolkar stated that in connection with the stone quarries in Tuem, the North Goa collector has approved to fill them with C & D waste after the approval from the Goa Waste Management Corporation (GWMC).
“The dumping of debris and waste will be monitored by GWMC. But the stone quarry has not been filled as yet. However after the incident occurred which led to drowning of 4 schoolchildren, the Tuem panchayat installed a board near the quarry warning people to avoid going to the stone quarry during monsoon. Filling the quarry or putting a strong fencing can stop people from going to the quarry.”
“However, the cost of fencing the quarry is high and the panchayat can’t afford this and so, the government should take up this fencing on priority and take steps to prevent such incidents happening.”
Mandrem Sarpanch Prashant Naik claimed that a number of youth go for a swim in lakes, ponds and rivers. “The government cannot monitor every quarry and water body. It is necessary for parents to have control over their children. The North Goa District Collector last week banned visits to quarries and water bodies and we welcome this decision.”
Former Mandrem sarpanch Adv Amit Sawant felt government officials and police should visit schools as part of an awareness campaign to highlight the dangers of these quarries and water bodies. “Lifeguards should also be posted in those water bodies frequented by a large number of people, to prevent tragic loss of lives,” said Adv Sawant.
