Pampore: The locals of Wuyan, Pampore in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district have complained that the industrial units have spread pollution in the area which is taking a heavy toll on their health.
The people have expressed strong resentment against the State Pollution Control Board and other concerned authorities for failing to control pollution in the area. They said the pollution from crushers is heavily affecting their health.
The residents alleged that among around 40 crushers running in the area, only half are registered.
“We raised the issue with local administration several times, even invited the DDC in one of the awareness programmes but all in vain as no action was taken against the illegal crusher owners,” they said. “If no steps are taken to control the pollution, it will prove disastrous for us.”
People said the school-going children are the worst affected due to pollution caused by crushers and tipper drivers who “rush through the roads with high speed and carry heavy load without following the norms”.
They added that the crusher owners “don’t even bother to keep roads clean by slinging water on them”.
“These crushers have devastated our health and green plants. We no longer breathe fresh air. We have lost our health. The crusher owners don’t follow norms by not using proper equipment which can control the dust or pollution,” Raja Rashid, a local told INS.
The locals have demanded strict action against the crushers violating the norms and their tipper drivers for “rash driving”.
When contacted, the Regional Director Kashmir, Pollution Control Board, Dr. Syed Nadeem Hussain told INS that he is in Jammu and will look into the matter after returning back to Kashmir.
When asked about the alleged rash driving by tippers in the area, Dr Hussain said the Pollution Control Board is not authorised to look after the drivers and their driving outside the industrial premises.
