School in Kozhikode’s Kattullamala sitting on a powder keg
The Hindu
Unregulated explosions in quarry pose safety threat to students
A rural school in Kozhikode’s Kattullamala village is facing a huge safety threat from unregulated explosions in a nearby granite quarry. The newly constructed building of Nirmala AUP School in Kayanna panchayat has already developed several cracks on its walls making it tough for the school authorities to even secure the operational permit from the local panchayat.
Since 2018, students here have been going through a harrowing experience because of the alleged apathy of Revenue and Geology departments in looking into their safety concerns. There are 150 students at the school now who are getting ready for the formal reopening of the institution on November 1.
Along with the school, there are nearly 40 houses in the area which have been suffering the impact of frequent explosions. According to local residents, the quarry owners, who managed to secure clearance for their commercial operation, are least bothered about addressing local grievances.