PANJIM: An illegal scrapyard situated opposite the petrol pump at Mala-Panjim was demolished by the City of the Corporation of Panaji (CCP) on Wednesday.
CCP Commissioner Agnelo Fernandes, who was overseeing the encroachment drive in the presence of CCP engineer Vikas Parsekar said that the illegal structure existed for around 15 years and was demolished as it had no required permissions, approvals, licences etc.
Fernandes added that the structure was demolished in the past but owner erected it again and that after a lengthy process of show cause notices being issued, hearings conducted, the scrapyard was demolished.
The illegal structure was situated in a private property and not public property, Fernandes clarified.
The CCP commissioner also mentioned that the structure was coming in the way of the construction of the new Patto-Mala bridge work currently underway and to be thrown open to the public soon. He further clarified that the structure was demolished as it was illegal and not for the bridge construction work.
This encroachment drive is the latest of the many encroachment drives that CCP has been carrying out across the capital city. Fernandes said the CCP had already demolished various illegal structures in its jurisdiction.
Meanwhile, Rajesh Redkar of Revolutionary Goans said that the illegal scrapyard was located in the government property. He claimed that the RG had demanded demolition of the scrapyard and to take possession of the land belonging to the Department of Tourism.
“We are happy that the illegal structure has been razed and the government had taken possession of its land,” said Redkar.
