Team Herald
PONDA: After several years, the Ponda Municipal Council (PMC) has successfully reclaimed its open space, following the clearance of a controversial illegal scrapyard that had encroached upon it in Varkhandem, Ponda. Workers were seen diligently loading wooden scrap materials to clear the area that had been occupied by the illegal scrapyard, which was filled with scrap wood and furniture.
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On January 8, the PMC, led by Chairperson Anand Naik, Chief Officer Yogiraj Gosavi, and ME Vishant Naik, conducted an inspection of the illegal scrapyard situated within the PMC’s open space. During this inspection, the officials made alarming discoveries. They found over 126 jars of expired, maggot-infested onion and garlic paste, which were being repackaged. Concerned about potential health hazards, the officials promptly notified the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Following this, a raid was conducted, resulting in the destruction of the contaminated paste, valued at Rs 70,000, at the PMC’s garbage treatment plant in Kerya.
A week later, on 17 January, the scrapyard caught fire at midnight, prompting panic among local residents who were calling for the immediate removal of the illegal operation due to the fire risk it posed to nearby homes and parked vehicles.
The PMC issued a warning to the operators of the illegal scrapyard, demanding that it be cleared within seven days. The scrapyard has since been removed. Chairperson Anand
Naik stated.
