Exposed: Videos Reveal Rampant Illegal Stone Crushing Operations in Kollam
Kollam, Kerala – Disturbing videos circulating online have thrust the widespread operation of illegal stone crusher units across Kollam district into the harsh spotlight. These visuals offer undeniable proof of unlicensed quarrying and crushing activities, raising urgent alarms about environmental destruction, regulatory failure, and public health risks.
The footage starkly depicts crusher units operating without the mandatory permits from the Kerala State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) or necessary local authority clearances. Often situated near residential zones, water bodies like ponds and canals, or ecologically sensitive areas, these units blatantly disregard zoning regulations designed to protect communities and nature.
“The sheer scale of the illegal operations visible in these videos is shocking,” stated a local environmental activist who requested anonymity. “They show clouds of dust engulfing nearby homes and fields, and untreated wastewater flowing freely into canals. This isn’t just illegal; it’s poisoning our air and water daily.”
The environmental toll captured is severe:
Dust Pollution: Visible plumes of fine particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) billow from crushing sites, severely degrading air quality for surrounding residents.
Water Contamination: Runoff laden with stone slurry and chemicals enters local water sources, threatening aquatic life and potentially contaminating drinking water supplies.
Noise Pollution: The relentless grinding and crushing machinery creates intolerable noise levels far exceeding permissible limits.
Health Crisis: Residents in affected areas report escalating cases of respiratory illnesses like asthma and bronchitis, persistent skin irritations, and other health problems directly linked to the pollution.
These illegal units operate outside any regulatory framework. They bypass critical environmental safeguards mandated for legal crushers, such as installing effective dust suppression systems (like water sprinklers or enclosures), setting up proper wastewater treatment facilities (like settling ponds), conducting mandatory environmental impact assessments (EIAs), or maintaining safe operational distances from homes and sensitive ecosystems.
While possessing regulatory authority over pollution control standards for stone crushers, the KSPCB faces significant hurdles in tackling this pervasive issue. The sheer number of illegal units – potentially running into the hundreds across Kollam – combined with limited enforcement manpower allows many operators to function with impunity. Allegations persist that some units manage to evade scrutiny through political connections or by exploiting gaps in inter-departmental coordination between revenue authorities, mining officials, local panchayats/municipalities, and the police.
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