Baramulla’s illegal quarries fuel dangerous tipper frenzy

Baramulla, Nov 22: In the evening hours of the day, one can witness a strikingly dangerous sight in Baramulla: tipper trucks laden with stones speeding recklessly, not only on the main highways but even through residential areas.

The drivers said this frenzy stems from the fear of being apprehended by authorities due to the unregulated nature of stone quarry operations in the area.

“There isn’t proper regulation of stone quarries,” admitted a tipper driver, who wished to remain anonymous.

“Whatever material we transport has to be moved quickly to avoid being caught,” he said

The issue has drawn attention to the deeper problems surrounding the operation of stone quarries in Baramulla.

District Mineral Officer Baramulla, Bilal Ahmad, said that most stone quarries in the district were entangled in legal and land disputes.

“These disputes prevent the quarry owners from paying royalties to the government, rendering their operations illegal,” Ahmad said.

One of the most contentious examples is a quarry in the Drangbal area of Baramulla.

The land surrounding this quarry is claimed by a neighbouring party that fears that mining activity is destabilising their land.

“The continuous mining is weakening the foundations of my land,” said the complainant. “If this continues, my land will collapse, causing a disaster.”

Following such disputes, the Department of Geology and Mining cannot grant permission for quarry operations, leaving them in a legal grey area.

However, this situation has cascading consequences.

Tipper drivers, caught in the middle of these disputes, often face fines and vehicle seizures.

“Why doesn’t the department act directly against illegal quarries instead of targeting us?” asked a frustrated tipper owner.

Locals are equally concerned about the reckless driving of these trucks.

“To escape authorities, tipper drivers drive dangerously, often causing accidents,” said Firdous Ahmad, a resident of Baramulla. “This is putting the lives at risk. We need a solution.”

The regulations for the operations of stone quarries are important for the enforcement of road safety measures.

No coordinated action leads to chaos on roads and if it continues, this can take a heavy toll on the common people besides people associated with the trade.