PANAJI
The government’s delay in framing a policy for scrapyard registration -- a long-standing promise -- has seen fearless operations of nearly 200 scrapyards illegally right under its nose.
The recent chlorine leakage at an illegal scrapyard in Merces is just one incident exposing blatant disregard for the law and public safety, despite the issue raised in the Legislative Assembly.
The government has remained silent while these scrapyards operate without registration, licenses or adherence to scientific methodologies for handling various types of scrap. Data with The Goan reveals that in Bardez alone, around 103 scrapyards, dealing with flammable items without any NOC or license, are operating for several years even dating back to the '70s and '80s.
Tiswadi has around 31 illegal scrapyards, Salcette 19, Mormugao 10, Bicholim 16, Cuncolim 12 and Ponda 4 among others. Nearly all handle flammable materials without adopting scientific methods to store, handle or transport the waste.
Ironically, in some cases, the government lacks records of when these scrapyards were established, the types of waste they handle, the quantities involved, or the methodologies used. Cuncolim serves as one such example.
Several of these illegal scrap yards deal with plastic, auto spare parts, iron, and metal. "There are instances where lands have been illegally converted into scrapyards. Moreover, they do not follow the methodologies needed to control or manage accidents such as fires or gas leaks," a government official revealed, wishing anonymity. Several of these illegal scrap yards, spread across huge areas, are dealing with plastic, auto spare parts, iron, metal, etc.
The Goa Waste (Scrap) Recycling Units Scheme 2010 expired on April 28, 2017. This policy was enacted following the intervention of the High Court of Bombay at Goa, which called for an urgent policy formulation.
On February 20, 2019, the Goa Waste Management Corporation was appointed as the nodal agency to relocate scrap yards within the state, with plans to move them to industrial estates—yet to be implemented.
Recommendations from stakeholders were submitted to the government as the policy assurance was made in the House. Sources confirmed that the policy has not been enforced.
“There’s no update to any stakeholder on the policy as yet. A meeting was likely to be called after the recommendations were sent to the Corporation, but no communication has been received so far,” sources stated.
