Lasers to aid in-depth granite probe

Even as the survey by ‘Daksha’, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), of hoarded granite blocks neared completion, the district administration has decided to use yet another modern gadget — Laser Distance Surveying Meter (LDSM)— to measure the accurate mining level at the quarries in Melur taluk.

As per directions from Collector Anshul Mishra,  starting Thursday, three teams would use three LDSMs, brought from the Leica Geology Systems in the United Kingdom, to survey the granite pits to identify the exact level of quarrying done by each company allegedly involved in the illegal granite quarrying case.

The three LDSMs, purchased at a total cost of  `24 lakh, are equipped with laser beam technology to assess the depth and width of the pits in quarried areas. The radar system attached with the LCD monitor would help in operating the laser beams in any direction and depth as per requirements, said a senior officer.

Explaining the functioning modalities, the officer said the LDSMs would send laser rays to areas that need to be assessed and take photographs. It would also provide the exact measurement, even if the zones were filled with water. “Granite companies have illegally mined 23 water bodies in Meluk. So far, we have been finding it difficult to evaluate the violation because the mining areas were filled with water. Now, with the use of LDSMs, we will find out all the violations,” the official told Express.

The LDSMs would also be used to crosscheck the granite blocks, of three-lakh cubic meter, seized from the 94 quarries operated by the firms. “Though revenue officials have already made a manual assessment, LDSMs will help us to get the exact measurement,” he said.

‘Daksha’ UAV photos would also be used for the LDSMs’ operation. Officials have also planned to fit the LDSM meter with the UAV.  “We completed the counting and the measurement of the granite hoarded in Keelavalavu, Keelaiyur, Thiruvadavur and E Malampatti using the UAV. Now we are assessing the worth of the blocks to find out the loss incurred by the Government,” an official of the special team said.