VASCO
The Sancoale panchayat has issued show-cause notices to multiple scrapyards operating in its jurisdiction following two major fire incidents reported within a short span of time.
The matter, which has triggered serious environmental and safety concerns among residents, was discussed by the panchayat before initiating action against the yard operators.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Sarpanch Anusha Lamani said the recent fires were alarming and required immediate intervention.
She said the panchayat had already conducted a site inspection along with members and the panchayat secretary.
“We have issued show-cause notices to the scrapyards because both the fire incidents, which occurred consecutively in quick time, were major in nature,” Lamani said, adding that the panchayat would not permit illegal scrapyards to function in the village. She said operators had been asked to shut down their activities until due permissions and safety norms were verified, noting that “stringent action will follow against violators.”
Panch member Santosh Desai said letters will be sent to various authorities, including the Goa State Pollution Control Board, to verify the documents and compliance status of scrapyards in the area.
Recalling the recent incident, he said they rushed to the site immediately after learning about the fire. “It was a scary situation because the blaze was massive, and thick plastic smoke made it impossible to stand near the spot,” Desai said.
He added that the fires highlighted the larger concern of constant pollution affecting residents in nearby localities.
Desai pointed out the absence of basic fire-safety equipment at these yards.
“These operators do not have the necessary permissions, nor do they keep fire extinguishers or facilities to control an outbreak. If proper measures like extinguishers or water hydrants were available, the fire would not have escalated into such a huge inferno,” he said.
He added that the poisonous fumes from burning plastic were posing serious health risks to villagers.
He further noted that scrapyards continued to mushroom in the area without mandatory approvals. The panchayat, he said, had imposed fines of Rs 40,000 each on two scrapyards found violating norms.
“These yards do not have valid permissions from the GSPCB or other authorities. They have not even informed the local police station about the staff employed at their units,” Desai said.
The panchayat has now decided to forward all documents submitted by the operators to the police, fire services and GSPCB for verification and further action.
Desai said the issue was also discussed during the recent gram sabha.
