Toxic dust from M-sand units makes life difficult in Tirusulam
CHENNAI: Toxic dusts from crushing and M-sand units operating on temple lands in Tirusulam without permission from local authorities have led to health problems among residents. The most affected areas are Rani Anna Nagar, Amman Nagar and Subham Nagar. The crushing units started operating following the Madras High Court’s ban in 2012 on quarrying of blue metal. The people who lost their jobs owing to the ban found jobs either in these crushing units or in the Chennai airport.
The blue metals mined from Kancheepuram and Sriperumbedur are brought to these crushing units. These units generate large amounts of toxic dust affecting lives of the locals. The toxic dust generated from the crushing units lead to respiratory diseases and Tuberculosis. There are no hospitals nearby and so the residents are forced to go all the way to Chrompet General Hospital.
Locals allege that many of the rock crushing units — over 60 in number in the area — function without any clearance. “Whenever we complaint, they humidify the machinery and then produce M-sand to prevent it from flying around. However, it only lasts a few days before the problem starts again,” said Ramya, a resident of Subham Nagar. The trucks that carry sand and gravel are all open too, leaving behind a haze of dust as the transport loads from the units.
When asked why people continue to work in these crushing units, Anbazhagan, an employee at VKS Blue Metal says, “The people who work at crushing units are provided small houses by the employers, we do not have to pay the rent and most importantly the employer pays for their medical expenses.”
Water scarcity is another problem the residents face. Unlike crushing units, m-sand units require large quantities of water to operate. These units draw at least water every day directly from the Tirusulam lake and the stone quarry, the two major sources of water for the residents. Pechiammal, a resident of Rani Anna Nagar, says “The water from the lakes usually have a layer of dust from the crushing unit which makes it unfit for drinking. We have now become used to the dust; it has become a part of our lives.”
“These units operate here because of the availability of labour and easy transportation. Despite notices being served to them, these units continue to function as they are run with the support from various political parties.” says the Tirusulam panchayat manager.
