Abandoned quarry sites, wells, water bodies to be fenced to prevent another tragic accident

Recent accidents in Tamil Nadu have raised concerns about unfenced quarries, wells, and dangerous road stretches.

MADURAI  

The recent accident at Sathankulam in Thoothukudi district where a car plunged into a roadside well leading to the death of five people, including a toddler, has raised concerns about the safety of taluk and panchayat roads.  

The accident led to Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary N. Muruganandam directing Collectors and Highway Department officials to conduct immediate inspections of roadside wells and hazardous road stretches across the State.  

The direction to identify open wells, potholes, and other potentially dangerous areas along roads, according to road users, has come at a time when voices for fencing unused quarries in Madurai district too have been raising.  

While Madurai district is covered by quarries, several of them have been abandoned long ago due to irregularities flagged by officials, or after expiry of licences.

One particular abandoned stone quarry on either side of the road leading to Masthanpatti from Vandiyur ring road junction in Madurai is to be fenced immediately to avoid any untoward incident.  

While some of the places have elevated boundaries, the abandoned quarry sites along the roads at Masthanpatti situated en route Sakkimangalam lies on the road level without any protective boundaries.