‘Illegal’ stone crushers in Lassipora continue operations, allege locals
By: Mushtaq Ul Islam
Pulwama: In a startling revelation, eight stone crushers in the Lassipora industrial area, which were declared illegal and ordered to be shut down by the district administration over a year ago, continue to operate under the cover of darkness—raising serious questions about the role of the Power Development Department (PDD), locals alleged Saturday.
Despite written communications from both the Geology & Mining Department and the Pollution Control Board alerting the authorities about the illegal status of these units, the PDD continues to provide electricity to the crushers during night-time hours. This ongoing power supply has not only undermined the administration’s orders but has also triggered widespread public concern, local activists said.
Local residents and civil society members have expressed strong resentment, questioning how illegal units can still operate with full access to government services. They have called upon the District Development Commissioner (DDC) Pulwama to launch an immediate and impartial inquiry into the matter.
The situation is further compounded by the alleged inaccessibility of the Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE) of the Power Department, who has reportedly failed to respond to repeated calls and inquiries regarding the issue.
“This is not just a matter of administrative failure—it’s a direct compromise of environmental and legal standards,” said a local activist.
“If the government has declared these units illegal, how are they still functioning? Who is responsible for enabling this?”
Environmental experts warn that unregulated operation of stone crushers contributes heavily to dust pollution, air quality degradation, and irreversible ecological damage in the region.
The matter now lies in the court of the district administration, which faces increasing pressure to act decisively and ensure accountability across departments.
