Mangalore: The District Administration has issued notification identifying safer zones for crusher units in nine villages.

However, the District Civil Contractors Association went ahead with its massive protest in front of the DC office following the recent high court notification asking crusher units to shut down and shift to safer zones. The contractors had taken out a protest rally from Town Hall to the DC’s office.

The Association drew the attention of the authorities towards the fact that construction industry has been hit hard due to non-supply of gravel. Association President M Purushothama Kottari said that following the closure of stone crushing units in the backdrop of the Supreme Court’s order, the construction work have come to a halt landing contractors and labourers in trouble. Vijaya Vishnu Mayya, President of Association of Civil Engineers, representatives from construction industry Roy Castelino, Suresh Jain and others were present. They later submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner.

As per the district administration notification those willing to set up crusher unit sin safer zones will have to submit a project report by October 20. Villages identified as safer zone are Andinje  where 16 acre has been identified, Aikala (45 acre), Nellikaru (36 acre), Kadandale (5 acre), Pucchamogaru (18 acre), Padukonaje (18 acre), Naringana (10 acre), Vitlamudnur (10 acre) and Kabaka (6.5 acre).

In Udupi: In Udupi too, members of the Quarry Owners Association took out a rally from Karavali Junction to Manipal.