After road accidents, fire incidents at scrapyards have now made the news. In the last one month, three scrapyards have caught fire”two in Sancoale and Zuarinagar, and one in Verna. These scrapyards are operating without proper licences and without the required safety measures.
When a scrapyard catches fire, the entire unit burns, thick smoke spreads in nearby areas, affecting the health of residents, and debris is left behind with no follow-up action. All scrapyards in village and urban areas should be inspected by the authorities and issued notices where violations are found.
Most scrapyards are open spaces used to store plastic and other materials that are hazardous to health. Inspections should strictly check for valid NOCs, fire safety arrangements and the suitability of the location. It is shocking that the owner of the Verna scrapyard admitted that there was no permission or NOC to run the unit.
Many questions are raised only after fires break out or losses occur. These issues must be checked in advance. No scrapyard should be allowed to operate in open spaces without permission and proper safety measures. At present, scrap owners run their businesses by leaving everything to fate, while the risk is borne by the public.
