Joint inspection reveals scrap being spilled onto road setback area, waste exposed to rains, clogged drains in Nessai industrial estate
MARGAO
Scrapyards have come to haunt Sao Jose de Areal again, but for a different reason -- this time over fears that the haphazard activity may trigger an outbreak of dengue in the Nessai Industrial Estate.
If the two dozen-odd scrapyards have posed the risk of pollution and danger to the Areal residents over the years, dengue is staring at the residents as well as the Health officials with monsoons round the corner.
In fact, scrap spilled over to the road setback area, waste exposed to rains, clogged drains in the IDC et al greeted a joint inspection team headed by local Velim MLA Cruz Sillva to the Nessai IDC on Friday.
The joint inspection by the local MLA Cruz Silva, officials of the Curtorim Primary Health Centre, Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and the village panchayat of Sao Jose de Areal have brought to the fore facts that all is not well at the scrapyards housed inside the industrial estate.
A doctor,attached to the Curtorim Primary Health Centre, has warned that an outbreak of dengue will cost everyone dearly if any breeding sites are found in the scrapyards at the Nessai IDC given that the parasite was found at Menezes bhat recently.
Locals feared that dengue may hit the area as was witnessed seven years ago if action is not initiated on priority at the industrial estate.
The MLA had called for the inspection of the scrapyards housed in the Nessai industrial estate after the Health authorities pointed out there’s no improvement in the situation with no follow up carried out by the owners and the IDC officials.
Says MLA Cruz: “We have come across as many as six scrapyards at the Nessai Industrial estate. Around 18 more are operating in private properties outside the industrial estate. It was shocking to observe that scrap has spilled onto the road setback area in violation of all rules. This has to stop immediately as the Curtorim PHC has expressed concern over dengue raising its ugly head in the industrial estate.”
He added. “The inspection has given 15 days time to the scrapyard owners to remove the scrap that has spilled onto the road setback area. We will re-inspect the area since monsoon is expected to hit the State anytime from now.”
What has raised concern amongst the MLA, health and panchayat members is that fever cases are not being reported to the health centre. Instead, employees down with fever are sent back to their native places, thus concealing fever cases, the MLA informed.
Former Sarpanch Vincy Mascarenhas informed that God had saved the people of Areal when dengue had hit the area seven years ago. “But, we have to take preventive measures. The MLA has taken the initiative. Hope the village will be dengue and malaria free this ensuing monsoon season,” he added.
Dr Riya Pathak and Curtorim PHC Sanitary inspector Jose Noronha have sounded a note of caution that any outbreak of dengue at the Nessai IDC will cost everyone heavily since the Health department had found the parasite at the Menezes bhat recently.
IDC Field official promised to send the inspection report to the higher ups for further action, saying the owners have promised to remove the scrap found dumped outside the premises. He, however, could not answer when asked whether the scrapyards operating in the Nessai IDC have consent to operate from the Goa State Pollution Control Board.
