Margao: One year has elapsed since the horrific incident of Gawliwado, Fatorda when the scrap yard caught fire. However there is no positive sign as far as shifting scrap yards from residential areas are concerned. The TCP Minister had back then announced that he would present the bill banning scrap yards in residential areas. Since Goa witnessed a curtailed budget, future action on these hubs of danger has also been halted. The problem however is not Fatorda scrap yards itself, there are several places like Nessai, Rumdamol Davorlim and others around Margao which have scrap yards in the residential areas.
A scrap yard in Gawliwado had caught fire in December 2017 triggering 4 consecutive medium intensity blasts and a major fire within the property. It took nearly 3 to 4 hours and 3 fire tenders to contain the fire. The Fire officials had found 6 domestic LPG cylinders from the scrap yard proving that there were people living within the premises. The fact that LPG gas cylinders were found here also created a doubt t as to whether the gas was being used for metal cutting purposes.
It was also revealed the scrap yard apparently is operating without any NOC’s or licenses right in the middle of residential areas. While dousing the fire the officials realized that there was no fire extinguishing equipment in the scrap yard.
The condition is similar in case of scrap yards in Rumdamol Davorlim. These scrap yards are surrounded with residential areas, a big school and also several commercial establishments. The scenes here at these scrap yards make people wonder on how can an operation that involves handling inflammable and ballistic scrap be allowed to operate in the middle of a inhabited locality.
Take for example the scrap yard at Gawliwado, sources suggest the order to remove this scrap yard was taken 20 years ago. Notice was served and this action was initiated after some locals in Gawliwado had filed a complaint regarding the same. The proprietor of the scrap was asked to break a wall and clear the land. .
It is also noteworthy that maximum scrap yard related incidences have taken place in the last 6 years. In 2011 a petroleum tanker at Chadrawado caught fire and had killed a laborer there. Even after this incident several others happened in Margao and the suburbs.
The TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai had informed that in this budget session the environment portfolio which is held by the Chief Minister would bring in a comprehensive bill which would ban scrap yards from residential areas. Since the Chief Minister is ailing and taking treatment and the bill having got delayed, the need seems to be increasing every passing day.
Not just fire or incidents but these scrap yards have also been major breeding grounds for vector borne diseases. The Deputy Collector some years ago had raided similar scrap yards from Nessai and had ordered its shut down.
In Chandrawado even after complaints, there has been no change.
