Daijiworld Media Network - Mapusa

Mapusa, Dec 16: A major fire at an illegally operating scrapyard in the Verna industrial estate, situated on comunidade land, has once again highlighted the unchecked spread of unauthorised scrapyards in Goa, particularly in the Bardez taluka.

Police sources described the situation as especially worrying in Bardez, estimating that nearly 30 illegal scrapyards fall under the Mapusa police station limits, while about 50 operate within the Colvale police station jurisdiction. Despite past incidents and official action, these units continue to function with little deterrence.

A fire at an illegal scrapyard in Colvale in 2023 had prompted the local panchayat to initiate action, but it failed to curb the wider problem. Following a separate fire that claimed the life of a scrapyard worker, the Colvale panchayat issued closure notices to 49 scrapyards. However, most of these units continue operations, often from leased comunidade land. Local residents allege that political patronage has allowed these businesses to remain active.

Former Colvale sarpanch Nityanand Kandolkar said that instead of reducing in number, scrapyards have expanded, with old makeshift units giving way to permanent concrete structures despite ongoing court cases and previous demolition drives. He noted that six illegal scrapyards were demolished during his tenure, but enforcement weakened thereafter.

Residents have also raised serious environmental concerns, pointing to the scrapyards’ close proximity to the Tillari irrigation canal and the risk of water contamination from hazardous chemicals and waste materials stored on site.

In addition to fire hazards and environmental risks, the scrapyards are increasingly being linked to criminal activity. Police officials said such locations are frequently checked during investigations into thefts and robberies, as they are often used to dispose of stolen goods, necessitating routine verification of workers’ identities.

The continued operation of these scrapyards, despite blatant safety violations and the presence of highly combustible material, has turned them into major environmental, public safety and law-and-order concerns. Locals and officials alike have called for urgent and decisive government intervention to address the issue.

Colvale sarpanch Dashrath Bicholkar acknowledged that several large scrapyards previously operating in the panchayat area have been shifted elsewhere, though concerns over unauthorised units persist.