MARGAO
After villagers raised an uproar over a scrapyard operating on the banks of River Sal in Benaulim a fortnight ago, the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) official inspected the site on Thursday.
After the inspection, wherein it was found that three separate activities were carried out inside the scrapyard, the GSPCB official Rajmohan Prabhudesai told the media that he submitted a detailed report to the Pollution Control Board’s higher-ups on the ground reality. “I have taken cognisance of the activity being carried out inside the scrapyard. I will mention the ground reality in my report for necessary action by the higher ups,” Prabhudesai said.
The inspection of the site gave a platform for the local residents as well as opponents to demand action against the scrapyard, including its closure.
Activist and local Benaulim resident Roque Fernandes reminded that Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas and his Margao counterpart Digambar Kamat had months ago taken a pledge to protect River Sal from destruction. “The two MLAs should immediately come and inspect the state of affairs at the scrapyard and how waste from the yard is flowing down into the River Sal, causing contamination and pollution,” Roque asserted.
Warren Alemao told the media at the scrapyard site after the inspection the activity is causing pollution to River Sal and warned that the people will not tolerate this assault on the environment and on future generations. “During the inspection, three illegal scrapyards were shockingly found inside the site, two run by outsiders from Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka,” he said.
He added: “These scrapyards are dumping raw garbage and discharging untreated sewage into River Sal, causing its complete destruction. This environmental crime must be stopped immediately. We demand the Goa State Pollution Control Board seal these scrapyards and take strict legal action.”
