TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
MARGAO: The scrap yard fire at Sao Jose de Areal on Tuesday once again brought to the fore the burning issue of scrap yards in the village, leaving local villagers angry and disgusted, as they demanded to know how long the authorities will finally take to clear the illegal scrap yards from the village.
Social activist Freddy Travasso said the burning scrap yard was located barely 10 meters away from the human habitation. “When we took up the issue of illegal scrap yards four years ago, the authorities only assured to look into the matter, but in vain,” he said . “In December, there was fire in a factory, but no action has been forthcoming from the District Collector or other authorities. Is the government waiting for a major incident to occur before initiating action and free the villagers from the illegal scrap yards,” he question.
Information obtained under the Right to Information Act revealed that the panchayat body has not issued any licenses to the scrap yards in the village.
Village Sarpanch Julio Monteiro said this is the second fire incident involving scrap yards in the village.
“The panchayat body has not issued any license to the scrapyards. We would soon inspect the illegal scrap yards and submit a report to the Goa State Pollution Control Board for action,” Julio said.
Says Assistant Fire Divisional Officer, Nitin Raikar: “These scrap yards have no permission from the fire services and they have not taken any NOCs from us. Scrap yards near human habitation pose risks to the people. We will inform the Collector about the illegal activity.”
