Moodbidri: Beluvai which is known for mining has witnessed many accidents and deaths. On July 20 2014, two girl children lost their lives after they fell into the quarry.

After the tragedy, the quarry was closed down, as informed by the village heads to the Tahshildar. However, from the past 4 years, another unsafe quarry near Kariyangady in Beluvai has seen 6 deaths and yet, is not closed down. There is a possibility of more deaths if no action is taken, locals say.

In Moodbidri, there are over 200 quarries and 88 out of them have been declared as dangerous by the Tahshildar office. Safety measures have been taken for 50 such quarries. Government has already begun the work of constructing retaining walls for 10 such quarries. “The construction of retaining walls for four quarries is completed and for the remaining 6 quarries is ongoing”, said Moodbidri Tahshildar Mohammad.

In Moodbidri Hobli, all the used quarries should be closed or safety measures should be taken or appropriate action must be taken, he said. “The quarry owners will be responsible for all the loss and mishaps that occur in that particular quarry. For all the accidents in goverment properties as well as leased properties, the leaseholders and property owners will be responsible”, the Tahshildar said.