Legislators raise health concerns, demand immediate relocation of vehicle and metal scrapyards
PANAJI
Exactly a year after the government assured the Legislative Assembly that registration of all scrapyards would begin before August 15, 2024, and that every scrapyard in the State would be brought under regulation within six months, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday reiterated in the House that a scrapyard policy will be ready “within six months”.
“Government will come up with a scrapyard policy within six months to resolve the issue completely,” he said, while responding to a Private Members’ Resolution moved by Goa Forward MLA Vijai Sardesai.
Raising serious concerns over environmental violations, Sardesai alleged that while over 1,000 scrapyards operate across Goa, only 269 are registered with the State.
During the discussion, he demanded that the government immediately relocate all vehicle and metal scrapyards away from residential, agricultural and eco-sensitive zones and shift them into designated areas within the Goa Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) estates.
“These scrapyards pose environmental and health risk and disrupt rural life. The government must identify existing scrapyards, develop properly equipped IDC zones, and implement a phased relocation plan to ensure safe and regulated operations,” Sardesai urged.
Other legislators across party lines joined in raising the issue, pointing out how scrapyards were rampant even along the coastline and prohibited areas. MLA Govind Gaude cited the example of a vehicle scrapyard located opposite the police station, warning that it turns into a hazard during monsoon.
During the last monsoon session of the Assembly, the government had claimed that finalising the scrapyard policy was delayed due to difficulties in locating appropriate land for relocation. The House was then assured that registration would begin by August 15, 2024, and that all scrapyards would come under regulation within six months.
