MARGAO: The Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has issued a show-cause notice to Taj Exotica, Culwada-Benaulim, and Tata Motors, Arlem-Fatorda, for disposing waste through unauthorised persons.
This was after an inspection of a scrap-yard owned by one Mehboob Narangi, which the board found to be located within a residential area in Ramnagiri, Sao Jose De Areal, which stores and sells hazardous waste. The inspection was carried out on February 2 upon a complaint from residents of the Rumdamol Housing Board that plastic was being burnt at the scrapyard.
On March 2, GSPCB issued directions under Section 5 of the Environment (Protection ) Act, 1986, read with Hazardous Waste (Management, Handling, Transboundary Movement), Rules 2008 to the management of M/s Indian Hotels Co Ltd, Culwada-Benaulim, and the management of M/s Naik Auto Industries Corporation, Arlem-Fatorda. They have also been directed to submit a compliance report to the GSPCB within 7 days from the date of receipt. GSPCB has warned of legal action if they fail to comply.
As per their inspection report based on the information from the Mehboob’s brother Aju Naranji, the Board stated that oil and oil filters were collected from Taj Exotica and M/S Tata Motors, stored at the premises for some days and handed over to one Arif.
“Aju informed that the plastic waste and metal scrap was collected from M/s Taj Exotica and stored at the scrapyard premises and later sold. The details of where the plastic waste was sold could not be provided. As per the records with the board, Taj Exotica disposes of the hazardous waste, including used oil and oil filters, through M/s Sayyed Ahmed and Sons and M/S Patel Petro Pvt Ltd,” read the show-cause notice.
“A heap of plastic waste was seen at the scrapyard along with other scrap waste like metal scrap, wood scrap, mattresses and hazardous waste like oil filters was also seen. At the scrapyard, some amount of burnt residue was seen,” read the report.
Furthermore, the board observed that Naranji had informed that the land, in which the scrapyard is located, did not belong to him, but to the housing board. A notice has been served to the owner of the scrapyard as well.
It is to be noted that the scrapyard issue has been a major grievance for the residents of Sao Jose De Areal.
