April 3: The excavation work at the Mukazor stone quarry near Riserbu in Wamrong Trashigang has raised safety concerns.

The Mukazor stone quarry site is located about 80 kilometers from proper Samdrup Jongkhar. The excavation work at the Mukazor stone quarry site was started about six years ago. The quarry is located near the Samdrup Jongkhar- Trashigang highway.

Motorists and passengers said it is not safe to travel along the stretch of road near the stone quarry due to falling boulders. They said safety measures should be put in place to prevent falling boulders from hitting passing vehicles. They said at the moment there isn’t even a sign board to caution motorists.

Our reporter Pema Samdrup says a falling boulder broke the wind shield of a taxi and injured a passenger.

Forestry officials in Trashigang and Womrong said of late they have not issued permits to any contractor to operate the quarry. Forestry officials said they suspect that people may be illegally operating the stone quarry. They said investigations will be carried out.