Fresh question mark over trial blasts to ascertain impact of quarrying on KRS reservoir

Issue to be taken up with CM, says Minister; some farmers groups express opposition

A fresh question mark has come to hang over the proposal to conduct trial blasts in the vicinity of KRS reservoir to ascertain the impact of quarrying on the dam in wake of the government’s move to permanently ban stone quarrying around the reservoir. Minister for Youth Empowerment and Sports K.C. Narayana Gowda, who held a meeting of district administration officials on the issue on Monday, wondered if the trial blasts were necessary when the government was planning to altogether ban quarrying around the reservoir permanently. Sharing his concern over an element of risk involved in the process, Mr. Gowda said the matter will be reviewed during his discussions with Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa and the Ministers concerned.