Team Goemkarponn
Panaji: In view of repeated incidents involving loss of life and serious injuries at abandoned and disused quarry sites, the North Goa District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) has issued a comprehensive administrative order directing mandatory safety measures at all such locations across the district.
The order, issued by Collector and District Magistrate Ankit Yadav, IAS, notes that unfenced and unsecured abandoned quarries pose a grave and continuing threat to human life, livestock and public safety, particularly during the monsoon due to water accumulation, slippery terrain and reduced visibility. Unrestricted public access to such sites has been classified as a preventable disaster risk under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
Under the directions, all owners, occupiers, lessees, firms and persons having ownership, possession or control over abandoned or non-operational quarries in North Goa have been instructed to erect durable barbed-wire fencing or equivalent physical barriers along the entire boundary to prevent unauthorised entry. They are also required to install conspicuous, weather-resistant warning signage at all access points and at regular intervals, clearly displaying messages such as “Danger – Abandoned Quarry”, “Entry Prohibited” and “Risk of Serious Injury/Death”.
The order mandates that fencing and warning signage must be maintained in good and effective condition at all times. All safety measures are to be completed within 30 days from the date of issuance of the order.
Concerned owners and occupiers must submit a compliance report to the office of the undersigned within the stipulated period, enclosing self-certification of compliance, site photographs before and after implementation, and location details of the quarry.
The Mamlatdars, through Talathis and other field staff, have been directed to serve the order on all concerned parties, conduct physical inspections of abandoned quarries within their jurisdiction and verify compliance using geo-tagged photographs. Each Mamlatdar is required to submit a consolidated compliance and inspection report within 45 days from the date of the order.
The order warns that non-compliance, partial compliance or false reporting will attract penal action under Section 51 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, including fines and imprisonment. In cases of default, the district administration may execute the required safety measures departmentally and recover the cost as arrears of land revenue from the defaulters without further notice.
Failure by field officers to serve the order, conduct inspections or report non-compliance will also be viewed seriously and may invite administrative action. The order has come into force with immediate effect.
