Lives In Pullampara Under Constant Threat Due To Perilous Quarry Operation

Pullampara, Thiruvandanapuram: Residents of Venkamala in Thiruvananthapuram have been living under constant threat of environmental erosion as they hear tremors of the daily blasts from the nearby quarry managed by Neenu Crusher Industry. The areas of Pullampara and Mukkudil wards near Venjaramoodu of Vamanapuram have been undergoing the adverse impact of the quarry’s operations for a few decades.

On October 15, 2023, the cloud of horror showered across Pullambara Punjayath, especially under quarry valley, when the quarry operation allegedly triggered a landslide destroying two houses, though the victims could narrowly escape unhurt with the help of neighbours. Notably, months before the landslide, Pullampara panchayat standing committee chairman Sreekandan had reportedly warned about the quarry’s potential to trigger landslides.

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In 2018, the District Environmental Impact Assessment authority had given environmental clearance (EC) to the quarry, which was arguably fake, according to the villagers.

People have alleged manipulation in the clearance, underlining the inaccuracies. The clearance did not mention the Kani tribal community settlement and their famous Vengamala Devi temple just 50 metres below the quarry, which instead showed the Shashta Nada temple, which is located approximately 3 km away.

The clearance had also wrongly mentioned human settlement as two kilometres away from the quarry, which had skipped the nearby densely populated Mamoodu, Maruthumoodu, Pullampara, and Vengamala. In addition, there are also claims of conspiracy to wipe out the Kani tribal groups from the locality.

Despite there being no permission from the State Environmental Impact Assessment Authority, the quarry operation continued, braving the protest. The clearance certificate had ruled out possibilities for any natural disaster or negative climate impact, which the October 2023 catastrophe proved the opposite. If the district authorities could have studied the environmental impact of the quarry, the disaster could have been avoided, claim the villagers.

Residents have pointed out the dismantled parts of their houses and the cracks that many more homes are getting due to the blasts from the quarry, raising their concerns about the growing threat to the existence and habitability of the region. A video shared by the YouTube channel Politics Kerala showed residents lamenting the cracks upon their dreams, urging authorities to take measures to halt the quarry operation. Houses owned by Shamsudeen C. E., Sugathan R., and Shanavas Khan in Mamoodu and Shahjahan E. and Jalalluddeen and Mohammed Basheer in Pullampara have developed severe cracks due to the quarry activities.

It is reported that around 33 houses near the hill and 18 homes near Venkamala temple are vulnerable, which includes newly constructed houses showing signs of decay. “The risk of another landslide like 2023 is high. The soil structure is worsening, and the cracks in our homes are widening. Elderly people and infants are the worst affected. And it’s not just about the damage—there’s no way out for us. Nobody will buy this land or marry into a place like this. The New Indian Express quotes Shaila as she points her finger to the cracks in her home.

Though the following public outrage forced the panchayat to issue a stop memo to the quarry after the 2023 landslide, operations resumed again, with authorities, including the panchayat, granting permission amid protests. At present, the quarry is being operated under an interim court order permitting limited activity. But the operation has relied on district environmental clearance instead of getting permission from the State Environmental Impact Assessment Authority.

In addition to the cracks, the quarry activities have also altered the geological structure, causing rainwater accumulation in deep pits due to the unsafe operation. The activities in the valley have polluted air and water, apart from impacting lives. Wastes from the quarry are also a concern as they are being dumped into a nearby stream, the Vamanapuram River, which many residents depend on for taking baths, washing clothes and even drinking.

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Vamanapuram MLA D K Murali has assured that they are planning to raise the issue with the State Environmental Impact Assessment Authority, noting that they will no longer ignore the risk posed by the residents as the quarry permit expires in March 2025.

The residents of Mamoodu, Maruthumoodu, Pullampara, Vengamala, and other vulnerable areas have approached the district collector, industrial minister, human rights commission, and panchayat and village authorities, seeking immediate solutions for their concerns. State geology, district geology, and the State Environmental Impact Assessment Authority have all been involved in the matter, and they are investigating the concerns, giving hope for a favourable step, according to the residents.