St Cruz MLA Rudolf Fernandes along with officials of the GSPCB, fire brigade and others during the inspection of the scrapyard as locals complained of gas odour still emanating in the area.
Photo Credits: The Goan
OLD GOA
Authorities visited Bamon Bhat in Merces on Friday as residents complained of a strong odour of chlorine gas still emanating in the area.
Authorities, which included the Merces panchayat, Goa State Pollution Control Board and a fire brigade reached the site as well as officials of a private chemical manufacturing company and the St Cruz MLA Rudolf Fernandes.
In fact, the chemical manufacturing company officials brought with them their equipment to measure the parts per million (PPM) of the chlorine gas, the odour of which is still present in and around the scrapyard where the gas leakage was reported on Thursday morning.
Later speaking to reporters, leading fireman Amit Revonkar informed that they scanned the area for the presence of any more chlorine gas cylinders but found none.
“However, it was observed that the chlorine gas got mixed with the stagnant water due to which the odour was still emanating in the area,” Revonkar said.
He, however, informed that officials of the chemical manufacturing unit measured the PPM and found that it was within permissible limits.
“But, they have informed that the smell will remain in the area for a while,” Revonkar stated.
The GSPCB officials then collected the samples of the water for further analysis.
Pregnant women, senior citizens shift to safer places
With the chlorine gas odour still emanating in and around the Merces scrapyard, the locals have taken utmost precaution and shifted the vulnerable to other places.
This was informed by a local Edwin Vaz who stated that those who are residing very close to the incident site have shifted the senior citizens as well as pregnant women out of the area. “The odour is still emanating and as utmost precaution, this step has been taken,” Vaz stated.
Another local Vithu Vernekar informed that he has shifted his pregnant wife to a friend’s place as the doctor has advised that the chlorine gas odour is harmful. “So, I did not have any option but to shift my wife out of the area,” he added.
Viren Vernekar said he along with his family started feeling uneasy during the nighttime as the chlorine gas is still present in the area. “I then shifted my entire family out of the area. Also, some pregnant women have been shifted to safer places as we cannot take any risk,” Vernekar stated.
Barring scrapyard owner, all others discharged from hospital
Barring the owner of the scrapyard, all others who were hospitalised in the GMC after experiencing suffocation due to gas leakage, have been discharged.
A police source informed The Goan that all the affected persons have been discharged from the hospital, barring the scrapyard owner.
“The owner seems to be having an asthma problem due to which he has not been discharged,” a police source stated while adding that his condition is stable.
It may be recalled that 23 residents took ill and had to seek hospital treatment after chlorine gas leakage was reported in the scrapyard at Bamon Bhat-Merces on Thursday morning.
Panchayat writes to authorities to initiate further action
After serving closure notice to the scrapyard owner, the Merces panchayat has now written to the Deputy Collector cum SDM and the Old Goa police to initiate further action in the matter.
Speaking to The Goan, Merces Sarpanch Pramod Kamat informed that the panchayat has sought further action into the matter from the Dy Collector and the Old Goa police.
When questioned about allegations being made by the locals that the earlier panchayat was striking a compromise with the scrapyard owners, Kamat informed that he has never compromised on the issue ever since he took over.
“In fact, I had given the scrapyard owner a time of six months to shut down. But, unfortunately, this incident occurred,” Kamat stated and reaffirmed that the panchayat will not allow any further operation of the scrapyard, at any cost. “Now, we are going to begin the process of demolition of the scrapyard,” Kamat added.
Meanwhile, the Bamon Bhat locals have also submitted a memorandum to the Merces panchayat as well as the Dy Collector demanding the demolition of all scrapyards existing in the village.
