Officials, pvt companies flout rules for abandoned borewells: Activist

The State government had, in 2015, passed Tamil Nadu Panchayats (Regulation of Sinking Wells and Safety Measures) Rules, where directions were issued for borewell owners, the private borewells companies and the officials.

According to it, both the owner and constructor of the borewell should follow a common set of rules. The owner and the borewell company should “fill up abandoned borewells up to the ground level using clay, sand, boulder or any other suitable material”. They are also directed to “ensure that the well is not left uncovered during recess or cessation of work”.

Borewell companies are also directed to “erect warning signboards in a conspicuous manner at the site of the well, displaying the nature, width and depth of the well, their name, address and contact details and that of the owner of the well”. The companies should also “erect barbed wire fencing or any other suitable barrier around the site of the bore well”. The company should also construct cement or concrete platform around the borewell and should “not leave the drilling pit uncovered during the recess of the work”.

Officials are directed to ensure that all safety measures are followed and in case of any violation the officials are empowered to cancel the permit awarded for drilling the borewells.

Although the rules are clear, activists accuse officials and the private borewell companies for ifor flouting it. “Government rules are clear but both officials and private borewell digging companies turn a blind-eye to the issue resulting in children falling into abandoned borewells,” Nakkeeran, Treasurer, Arappor Iyakkam, an NGO,said.“Only if action is initiated against the officials and the private borewell companies such incidents will not repeat,” he added.