Quarry owners given 30 days to comply
PANAJI
Citing repeated cases of deaths and serious injuries, the North Goa district administration has issued strict directions to secure all abandoned and non-operational quarry sites. The order makes fencing and warning signs compulsory and sets clear deadlines for compliance. Any failure will attract action under the Disaster Management Act.
In an order issued by District Magistrate and Chairperson of the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), Ankit Yadav, quarry owners, occupiers and lessees have been told to put up physical barriers and clear danger signboards at every abandoned quarry within 30 days. If they fail to do so, the administration will carry out the work and recover the cost as arrears of land revenue.
The Collector described unrestricted access to abandoned quarries as a “preventable disaster risk”. He noted that these sites pose a serious and ongoing threat to human life, livestock and public safety, especially during the monsoon, when water collects in deep pits and the ground becomes slippery with poor visibility.
The order, which has come into effect immediately, states that several incidents of deaths and serious injuries have been reported at abandoned and disused quarries in North Goa. When left unfenced and without warning signs, such sites become extremely dangerous, particularly during the monsoon season.
As per the directions, every person responsible for a disused quarry must install strong barbed-wire fencing or similar barriers along the entire boundary. They must also put up weather-resistant warning boards clearly stating: “Danger – Abandoned Quarry”, “Entry Prohibited”, and “Risk of Serious Injury/Death”. These safety measures must be maintained in proper condition at all times.
Compliance will be strictly monitored. Quarry owners and occupiers must submit a compliance report within the given time, including self-certification, location details and photographs of the site before and after the safety measures are put in place.
To ensure action on the ground, Mamlatdars have been made directly responsible for serving the order, carrying out inspections through Talathis and field staff, and recording compliance using geo-tagged photographs. A consolidated inspection report must be submitted to the Collector’s office within 45 days.
The order also warns field officers that any failure to serve notices, conduct inspections or report violations will be taken seriously and may lead to administrative action.
