Daijiworld Media Network - Margao

Margao, May 17: With the monsoon season fast approaching, the South Goa district administration has accelerated efforts to secure high-risk abandoned quarries across the district to prevent accidental drownings.

According to South Goa Additional Collector Srinet Kothwale, the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) has already identified a list of abandoned quarries considered dangerous, especially during the rainy season when such sites often attract local youth for swimming. Many of these quarries, filled with rainwater, pose a serious threat due to their depth and slippery terrain.

“Fencing work on 16 of these high-risk sites across all seven talukas of South Goa was initiated following a tendering process. The work order was issued in October 2024, and around 85% of the fencing has already been completed,” Kothwale said. However, he noted that two quarries in the Quepem taluka remain to be secured.

Kothwale emphasized that the administration is approaching the task in phases. “This is part of a larger plan to secure all high-risk abandoned quarries. While we’re prioritizing the most dangerous ones first, the remaining will be fenced in subsequent phases,” he added.

The initiative comes in response to a recurring tragedy in the region – fatal drownings in abandoned quarries during monsoon months. These sites often turn into makeshift swimming spots, particularly for young people unaware of the risks.

“We are closely monitoring the progress to ensure that work on the 16 quarries currently under contract is completed before the monsoons set in,” Kothwale assured.

The district administration has reiterated its commitment to public safety, stressing that the remaining quarries will also be addressed systematically to eliminate future risks.