Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 20 October 2023
The Chairman of the ANTCC Campaign Committee, Mr. TSG Bhasker, has drawn attention to a pressing issue by appealing to the Deputy Commissioner of South Andaman regarding the closure of quarries in the district. This closure, he contends, has had severe repercussions on various developmental projects and the livelihoods of the local population.
In a letter penned to the Deputy Commissioner of South Andaman, Mr. Bhasker expressed his concern about the protracted closure of quarries, asserting that it has caused significant disruptions to essential public works, particularly impacting the Port Blair Municipal Corporation (PBMC) and Andaman Public Works Department (APWD). He noted that numerous projects worth crores of rupees have been left pending due to the unavailability of quarry materials.
One of the key issues emphasised by Mr. Bhasker is the extended duration it takes to secure environmental clearances for the reopening of quarries. He decried this delay as “shocking and unreasonable” and called upon the Central Government to expedite the clearance process, recognising the critical role these materials play in local development.
The closure of quarries has not only disrupted public projects but also taken a heavy toll on the labor force that relies on quarry work for their livelihood. Mr. Bhasker pointed out that the closure has resulted in a scarcity of employment opportunities for quarry labourers and contractors, making it exceedingly difficult for them to sustain their lives and support their families.
Additionally, Mr. Bhasker raised concerns about the adverse economic effects of the quarry closures on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. He held the Administration responsible for the ongoing situation, attributing it to the “cascading effect” of the quarries’ closure on the local economy.
In light of these pressing concerns, Mr. Bhasker urged the Deputy Commissioner to treat this matter with utmost seriousness and take immediate actions to facilitate the reopening of quarries. He underscored the urgency of this issue, emphasising that the revival of the A&N Islands’ economy is contingent upon swift resolution.