The fire that broke out in the early hours of Wednesday at the Zuarinagar scrap yard, Sancoale points to a consistent danger which threatens the safety of the public and the environment. The fire spread through a cluster of scrap yards in the area, gutting warehouses and burning rubber, plastics and toxic material, the result of which thick black smoke was emitted in the surroundings. Such fires across the State expose the failure of regulation, planning, and environmental management.
Although there have been debates, pleas and warnings of relocating scrap yards from residential areas, to the extent that the subject has been part of debates in the Legislative Assembly, nothing has moved. The government's failure to design a comprehensive plan and regulate scrapyards strictly has only resulted in their proliferation, a large number of which are illegal, thus threatening human life and the stability of the ecosystems.
Goa has been a witness to a series of such fires. An incident was reported on November 1, 2025, where a fire at a scrap yard near Old Goa Bypass got locals worried as toxic fumes were released in the air. Besides this, several other similar fires have taken place in Warkhandem, Colvale, Gawliwado, and Dhavali. The fire in Murshiwaddo in Colvale, which resulted in the injury of a worker and the destruction of houses, is a perfect example of the looming dangers. These incidents highlight the fact that there is a complete disregard for safety regulations and propriety.
The problem is the absence of a resolute and executable policy plan at the core. Goa's government has identified the issue and declared that they would be moving away all the scrap yards that are operating illegally or improperly in residential and environmentally sensitive areas. A draft of "Goa Waste Recycling Units Policy" intends to stabilise and legalise the industry with a set of measures that ensure safety at work, proper fencing, buffer zones, and environmental friendliness. If we may recall, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had reassured the Legislative Assembly in August 2025 of a policy on scrap yards, a pledge he also made in July 2023.
The exponential rise of illegal scrap yards reflects a sheer failure of enforcement. There is a considerable number of scrap yards that lack environmental clearances and safety measures and have not complied with procedures. The authorities are often too unwilling to take action against their activities, for reasons best known to them. Agencies responsible for law enforcement visit, grant NOCs, and enlighten the public at times; however, these acts will achieve little if no firm steps are taken against offenders.
Scrap yards are needed to take care of scrap and other waste, but there are inherent dangers because they deal in inflammable materials, and sometimes keep hazardous waste without anyone knowing. Failure to relocate or regulate scrap yards will have consequences. Fires give off harmful gases that can cause respiratory illnesses, pollute the soil as well as water, and there is even a risk of an explosion because LPG cylinders are stored and used to cut metal. The existence of illegal scrapyards is akin to a ticking time bomb for an environmental disaster.
The Sancoale fire is another grim reminder of the urgent need to regulate and relocate scrap yards. Observance of laws must be ensured by the government through the expeditious drafting and execution of regulations; it should be ensured that relocation of illegal and unsafe operations is done immediately. Stop citing the lack of land for relocation as an issue, safety of the people and environment has to be a topmost priority.
