Stone chips or “jelly” will have to be imported from neighbouring states by shelling out more money on transport. Already, building costs have gone up steadily in the last few months following a steep rise in the prices of cement and sand.
Confirming that the order for closure was issued two days ago, Board Chairman A H Sadashivaiah told Deccan Herald that the crushing units would have to shut shop.
Individual closure orders have been served on the owners of the crushing units by the board officials. Deputy commissioners and chiefs of Escoms have also been informed about the step being taken by the board.
The deputy commissioners can seize the equipment of the stone crushers if they continued to function, violating the order. Directions have been issued to Escom chiefs to snap power supply to errant units.
The KSPCB move follows a February 18 Karnataka High Court order directing the authorities concerned to close down all stone-crushing units that operate in areas of human habitation.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice J S Khehar and Justice A S Bopanna had pulled up three officers—Forest, Ecology and Environment Secretary Kamal Pal, Industries, Commerce and Mines Secretary Ram Prasad and KSPCB Member Secretary M S Goudar—for disobeying the orders.
While the KSPCB’s action is well intended, it will result in jacking up the cost of stone chips, besides delivering a big blow to the development projects across Karnataka.
The KSPCB move comes even as the construction sector is grappling with severe sand shortage. Sources said conditions imposed by the Supreme Court on stone-crushing units were not only very stringent but also difficult to implement.
The State government is likely to plead for changes in the Supreme Court’s guidelines when the matter comes up for hearing on March 11. The same day, the KSPCB will file a compliance report before the Karnataka High Court.