The time is ticking for the government to intervene and restore rule of law in the Cuncolim Industrial Estate as hazardous waste lies unattended for years now; factories being used to house workers and units operating in violation of fire safety norms, finds Guilherme Almeida
Cuncolim Industrial Estate is again back in the news for the wrong reasons. As if the presence of hazardous waste and unauthorized housing inside the Estate are not enough, last week’s fire incident at Ms Metroplast brought to the fore the complete absence of monitoring and supervision on what’s going inside at the Industrial estate – be it disposal of hazardous waste, workers putting up inside factories, change in manufacturing processes and lack of fire safety mechanism.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
The fire incident comes as an eye opener to the IDC and other authorities that all is not well at the Industrial Estate. Otherwise, just consider this.
While the fire services were quick to point out that the unit was probably extracting oil by heating tar like substance, the IDC Field Manager told newsmen that the unit was granted permission for the manufacturing of plastic bottles and drums. This brings up the pertinent question whether the IDC and concerned authorities carry out routine checks to ascertain compliance of the manufacturing process and the safety guidelines.
Says Margao Fire Officer, Gill De Souza: “When we entered Ms Metroplast, we did not find any traces of manufacturing of plastic bottles and drums. What we found inside was drums containing tar like substance. May be the substance was heated to extract oil”.
Assistant fire divisional Officer Nitin Raikar confirmed that the unit had no fire safety equipments nor any NOC was obtained from the fire services by the factory.
What’s interesting to note is none of the authorities appears interested in conducted a detailed probe into the fire incident and take the inquiry to its logical conclusion.
Locals says the fire at Ms Metroplast is just the tip of the iceberg. Says Gleston Fernandes: “The fire could well be considered the tip of the corrupt system in the IDC. Is any authority serious in trying to know whether the industries have put in place pollution and safety standards as per law.
Equally to blame are the local authority who, till date have failed to act against these polluting units, though they are aware of the consequences and ill effects of contamination. But, but they continue to turn a blind eye”, he said.
IDC Chief General Manager, Ajit Naik said his office has asked its field manager to file a detailed report on the fire incident.
“The IDC had alloted the plot for the manufacture of plastic bottles and drums. We will find out whether it was used for extraction of oil”, he added.
No fire sub-station
Cuncolim Industrial Estate plays host to some of the polluting units and power guzzlers. But, the Estate has no provision for a fire sub-station in times of fire emergencies. When fire engulfed Ms Metroplast last week, SOS was sent for fire tenders from Margao, Curchorem and Canacona. And, the fire tenders had to avail water from the water tankers in the operation give the time and distance involved between Margao and Cuncolim.
When contacted, Cuncolim MLA Rajan Naik said he had highlighted the need for a fire station at the Cuncolim Industrial estate during the last Assembly Session. “I will pursue with the government to set up a fire station in Cuncolim”, he assured.
Apart from a fire station, locals have demanded that the fire services conduct a survey of the industries to ascertain whether the units have complied with the fire safety norms.
