MAPUSA
The State administration on Friday demolished an illegal scrapyard in Colvale but the action coming months before the assembly election has given it a political hue.
The illegal scrapyard at Mushir-vaddo, Colvale was demolished after an order was issued by the Director of Panchayats.
Colvale has turned into a hub for illegal scrapyards with as many as 90 scrapyards located in the village, locals alleged.
Locals have complained that the scrapyards deal with hazardous substances which cause pollution in the village.
“Two years ago we received a memorandum from the director of panchayats (DoPs) to take action against the illegal scrapyards. Based on the memorandum we had issued notices to 60 illegal scrapyards. Some of them had obtained a stay on the order and the cases were going in the DoPs’ office. This demolition is in one case,” said Nitin Kandolkar, Sarpanch of Colvale.
He said most of the scrapyards are illegal and the panchayat will take strong action against all such illegal scrapyards in the village.
A source informed that only the shade of the scrapyard was demolished on Friday and the concrete structure was not touched.
According to former deputy sarpanch and current panchayat member, Ritesh Varkhandkar, the demolition of just one scrapyard establishes the political motive of those in power.
“With elections around the corner, this demolition is to create fear psychosis among the scrapyard owners to either fall in line or be ready for action,” Varkhandkar said.
He said instead of acting on only one illegal scrapyard, action should have been taken on all scrapyards.
