Merces local Viren Verekar showing off the file containing the complaints against the scrapyard. Photo Manuel Vaz
THE GOAN NETWORK
OLD GOA
A local, Viren Verekar informed that he had complained about the scrapyard several times in the past, but no action was forthcoming from any authority.
“It’s been three years now that I am fighting against the operation of the scrapyard in the residential area and have complained to the Merces panchayat, Waste Management Corporation, Goa State Pollution Control Board, but no action has been taken,” Verekar informed while showing the thick file full of complaint letters.
“If timely action was taken by authorities concerned, this incident would not have happened. And only because of the incident are authorities now showing that they are taking action,” Verekar informed, apparently referring to the Merces panchayat notice directing the scrapyard owner to cease operations.
The locals Edwin Vaz and Shailesh Verlekar too informed that the issue was raised time and again at the gram sabha with the panchayat authorities urged to act in the matter.
“However, they only serve notices and hold inspections but never take any concrete action,” Vaz informed while stating that the incident was the result of such casual attitude of the authorities concerned.
St Cruz MLA demands thorough probe
OLD GOA: St Cruz MLA Rudolf Fernandes has demanded thorough inquiry into the incident of gas leakage at Merces scrapyard.
The statement was made when the MLA paid visit to the site to take stock of the situation.
“First of all, scrapyards cannot keep anything related to gas as it is very dangerous,” MLA Fernandes stated while adding that he would ask the authorities concerned to conduct inquiry to find out how the cylinders were kept at the scrapyard.
To another question, MLA Fernandes said that he is with the locals in demanding that the scrapyard should be shut down as it is located in a thickly populated area.
“I am with the locals. If they do not want the scrapyard here, then I fully support them,” the MLA informed.
St Cruz Congress block demands demolition of scrapyard
OLD GOA: The St Cruz Congress block has demanded that the Merces panchayat should initiate strict action against the scrapyard, which includes its demolition.
In this regards, block president John Nazareth has submitted a memorandum addressed to the Merces sarpanch wherein it has been pointed out that the scrapyard has been illegally built.
“It is learnt that the scrapyard has been constructed illegally without any permission from the planning authorities,” the memorandum states.
Further, the memorandum urges the panchayat authorities to take the incident as a wake-up call and act swiftly.
“You are requested to take this as a wake up call to take immediate steps to close the scrapyard and demolish the illegal structure constructed by filling low lying paddy fields,” the memorandum further states while adding that the panchayat should act against all such illegally operating scrapyards in the village.
