State orders more distance between stone quarries

MUMBAI:THE state has revised the guidelines for stone quarries that do not require blasting and increased the minimum distance between such quarries and inhabited areas as well as infrastructure to 100 metres (m) from 50m. However, environmentalists say the revised guidelines are inadequate.

The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) published revised guidelines on August 3, in compliance with a February 2 order of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that directed the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to develop country-wide uniform guidelines for quarrying. “We have implemented exactly what CPCB has communicated to us,” said Sudhir Srivastava, chairman, MPCB.

MPCB’S circular states stone quarries may be set up at a minimum distance of 100m (without blasting) from residential areas, highways, public buildings, railways lines, bridges, dams, monuments, etc. The minimum distance for quarries that require blasting remains the same – 200 m. “The regulation for the danger zone – 500m – as prescribed by the directorate general (DG) of mines safety needs to be followed scrupulously,” reads the circular.

Srivastava said MPCB would ensure the 500m distance is maintained and noise norms are not violated by stone quarries. “Apart from air, noise and water pollution, express guidelines for blasting and drilling have been issued. Such activities need to be done during favourable weather conditions [not during monsoon when there may be landslides]