The Times of India               22.01.2014

Four illegal scrapyards face MMC axe

MAPUSA: Continuing with its drive against illegal scrapyards, the Mapusa municipal council (MMC) on Tuesday demolished four illegal scrapyards along NH 17 at Karaswada junction. The scrapyards were illegal as they had encroached upon the national highway.

The drive was conducted in the presence of Bardez mamlatdar Anish Prabhudessai, MMC chief officer Raju Gawas and municipal engineer Munna Mujawar.

"The scrapyard owners were given notices to vacate the area before Monday. Since they failed to clear the encroachments, the scrapyards were demolished," Mujawar said.

He said that the other illegal scrapyards have been served notices to vacate, and if they fail to do so, then the drive will continue on Wednesday.

An increasing number of illegal scrapyards from Karaswada to Colvale along the national highway is proving to be a menace. The scrapyards are either on agricultural land or on land belonging to the national highway authorities. On Monday, 12 illegal scrapyards encroaching upon NH 17 were demolished after an order was issued by the Bardez deputy collector. In November, four illegal scrapyardswere demolished within the Mapusa municipal jurisdiction.