Daijiworld Media Network – Panaji
Panaji, May 27: A fresh fire incident at a scrapyard in Dicarpale, Davorlim, has once again highlighted Goa’s growing scrapyard safety crisis and the continued absence of a comprehensive relocation and regulatory framework.
Residents said a loud blast, resembling either an exploding gas cylinder or a bursting tyre, was heard moments before flames rapidly engulfed the scrapyard on Tuesday. The same yard had reportedly caught fire earlier in 2019 as well.
The latest incident comes only weeks after a massive blaze destroyed a cluster of scrapyards in Zuarinagar, where firefighters struggled to control flames intensified by densely packed scrap materials and flammable items.
Workers at the Zuarinagar site had reportedly rushed back from lunch breaks to remove gas cylinders and hazardous materials before the fire spread further.
Despite repeated fire accidents and growing public concern, the Goa government is yet to finalise land for relocating scrapyards operating dangerously close to residential areas, roadsides and commercial zones.
Official records indicate that Goa has hundreds of unauthorised scrapyards spread across the State. Salcete reportedly has the highest number with around 108 scrapyards, followed by Bardez with 66, Tiswadi with 57, Bicholim with 49, Ponda with 48 and Mormugao with 39.
Records also reveal that none of the scrapyards in Goa currently possess a fire No Objection Certificate (NOC).
The issue has become more complicated after the Goa Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) clarified in September 2023 that industrial estates cannot legally allot plots to scrapyards under existing regulations.
However, despite the clarification, the government reportedly continued informing the Assembly that relocation to industrial estates remained under consideration.
Authorities have identified several survey numbers involving comunidade and government land for possible relocation, but the process remains stalled due to unresolved ownership and administrative issues.
Meanwhile, the Goa Waste Management Corporation (GWMC) has been working on a proposed “Goa Scrapyard and Recycling Units Policy” aimed at regulating registration, licensing and functioning of scrapyards, including unauthorised units.
However, officials admitted that in the absence of a dedicated policy framework, authorities currently have limited powers to act against illegal scrapyards.
Sources also stated that no independent survey has yet been conducted to assess the environmental, traffic and public health impact caused by scrapyards functioning within residential and roadside areas.