Panchayat razes two yards, but locals warn dozens more pose safety and health risks
The illegal scrapyards being demolished in Sao Jose de Areal village.
MARGAO
How many years will it take for the authorities to rid Sao Jose de Areal village from the menace of scrapyards, is a question being asked by Areal villagers in the New Year?
Even as the village panchayat razed down two illegal scrapyards upon orders of the court, locals have raised questions post-Arpora fire incident, when Areal village will be rid of the scrapyards, which have been in the recent past engulfed by fire incidents.
While the village panchayat has demolished two scrapyards in the village, the sarpanch was candid in admitting that there may exist 30-odd scrapyards operating in the village. She, however, said the panchayat will leave no stone unturned against the illegal scrapyards once orders are passed by the courts for demolition.
Social activist Freddy Travasso said the illegal scrapyards are indeed posing danger and a health hazard to the Areal villagers. “We had many instances of scrapyard fires in the village, not only posing danger to the villagers but posing a health hazard since these yards deal with all kinds of waste, including chemical waste,” he said.
He added: “Post-Arpora fire tragedy, all the authorities should focus their attention to remove the scrapyards from Sao Jose de Areal. Villagers fail to understand how come the matters are pending in the Courts when these scrapyards are running illegally without permission from the local village panchayat.”
