Increasing dust emission from quarries leaves Kozhikode villagers concerned

Enforcement measures being overlooked, say residents

The increasing fine dust emission from various granite quarries and the vehicles used for carrying quarry products are posing a big health threat for residents in Thiruvambady, Karassery and Kodiyathur panchayats. Even after a number of suspected pulmonary and dermatological ailments were reported from the area as a result of the exposure to rock dust, the enforcement of safety measures is still being overlooked.

Some of the residents in Thiruvambady panchayat’s Koombara and Peedikappara villages said the rural roads connected to the quarries in the area were like “dust beds”. When a goods lorry entered the road, no other motorist or pedestrian could use the stretch for some time, they alleged.

Those living along such rural roads were the worst-hit as they were always exposed to the dust. Though many tried to put up large covers in front of their houses to cut exposure to the dust, large number of trucks with uncovered load and poor safety measures taken by quarry owners made the residents’ efforts ineffective.