Expired lease, suspended blasting clearance: Odisha quarry where cave-in killed workers was operating ‘illegally’

Rescue operation underway after at least two persons were killed in a rock collapse on Saturday at an unauthorised stone quarry in Odisha's Dhenkanal district (PTI)

The stone quarry in Odisha’s Dhenkanal, where two workers died following an explosion on Saturday evening, was allegedly operating illegally beyond its approved lease period, officials said.

After hours of search operation by the fire services, a canine team and the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), among others, two bodies were recovered from the debris. The administration also said the rescue operation was complete and that the quarry was sealed.

As per preliminary inquiry, blasting clearance of the quarry located near Gopalpur village under Motanga police limit was suspended on September 8, while the lease period of the quarry also expired on December 31. It was being operated by a Dhenkanal-based private individual.

“We have asked police to investigate how the leaseholder was continuing blasting and quarrying despite the completion of the lease period. Appropriate action will be taken based on the findings of the probe,” Dhenkanal District Collector Ashish Ishwar Patil told The Indian Express.

The Collector said intensive verification will be conducted by the administration to examine the blasting activities and ascertain whether any illegal explosives were used.

The locals also alleged connivance between the mining lease holders and field-level government officials for illegal stone quarrying. They sought a probe into the matter.

Police sources said a case has been registered against the lease holder at the Motanga police station under various sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Explosive Substances Act and the Orissa Minerals (Prevention of Theft, Smuggling & Illegal Mining) Rules and an investigation has been started.

As per officials, the explosion occurred at around 8.30 pm on Saturday night, when some workers were engaged in quarrying activities at the site. A large patch of loose earth caved in following the explosion.

Due to poor visibility and fear of elephant movement, the search operation was intensified early in the morning, following which two bodies were recovered. The canine squad brought from the nearby Angul district helped the fire services teams to locate the bodies, said local fire officer Nabaghana Mallik.

“It’s confirmed that only two people were trapped,” said an official.

Though the identity of the deceased is yet to be ascertained, as per local officials, they are believed to be from Balasore and Keonjhar districts.