Stone crushers rule the roost in Khanpur

Sources say influential plant owners violate safety, environmental by-laws

HARIPUR:

Stone-crushing plants in Khanpur are allegedly violating safety and other environmental protection laws to fill their coffers with maximum profits, causing air and noise pollution and various diseases.

According to sources, officials of departments concerned seem helpless in the face of influential business owners. They said recently, on the complaint of an official of the Mines and Minerals department, the license of Sadiq and Sons was cancelled and the owners were stripped of the right to possess all sorts of explosives, but they are reportedly carrying out blasts without any gap.

Locals said the blasts should have been halted in the mines but officials of the departments concerned have failed to implement the ban.

They said due to these blasts, cracks have appeared on the walls of houses and other buildings in adjacent areas. The locals have staged protests against the practice too many times but the plants and their activities increase with each passing day.

When the officials of the Khanpur assistant commissioner house were asked about the origins and supply of explosives, they said it was the responsibility of the Mines and Minerals Department and the local police department to monitor the supply of prohibited explosives.

When The Express Tribune asked for clarification from the police department, they said citizens should file a complaint with them for any action.

Sources also said recently, officials of the Water and Power Development Authority conducted raids on several crushing plants and arrested a suspect on charges of pilfering power.

A letter was sent to the Khanpur police for action but nothing happened, they said.

Sources said the police released the suspect identified as Saadullah Pathan on bail and he reportedly resumed his business activities.

A large number of labourers suffer injuries and many lose their lives while working at these stone-crushing units. Just a month ago, a labourer lost his life after being crushed by a crane.

Commenting on the blasts, a contractor, Zawwar Shah, said that the Mines department had cancelled the lease of Sadiq and Sons which was restored after a few days.

According to the assistant commissioner's office, they have written letters to officials of the Mines department many times calling for action, but the blasting continues.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 22^nd, 2023.