Goa Pollution Control Board Completes Comprehensive Inspection of Registered Waste Collectors
The Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has taken decisive regulatory action targeting the 105 waste collectors officially registered with the state authority. This initiative follows a critical decision made by the Board in December of last year to conduct thorough inspections and review all permissions and registrations granted to these operational units.
Widespread Non-Compliance Uncovered During Inspections
Inspections across all 105 units have now been fully completed, revealing significant regulatory shortcomings. The exercise identified that 56 units, which are responsible for collecting waste from industrial and commercial establishments, were failing to adhere to the Board's established guidelines. Crucially, these units were also operating without the mandatory Fire No Objection Certificate (NOC).
Furthermore, an additional 29 units engaged in waste collection services for local civic bodies were also found to be non-compliant with the prescribed standards. The inspection report highlighted that 12 units were functioning without any valid registration whatsoever, while six scrapyard operations were currently non-functional.
Regulatory Actions and Notices Issued
In response to these findings, the GSPCB has issued formal notices to all non-compliant units, directing them to immediately align with the Board's guidelines and complete all necessary registration formalities. This crackdown comes amid growing concerns over the proliferation of scrapyards across Goa, with numerous reports alleging illegal operations along highways and the unauthorized filling of low-lying areas to establish facilities.
Safety Incidents and Legal Mandates Prompt Action
Recent accidents at unregulated waste sites have intensified public and regulatory worries. A major fire incident in Sancoale last year served as a stark alarm bell, after investigations revealed multiple scrapyards operating illegally in close proximity, which allowed the blaze to spread rapidly and uncontrollably.
The Board clarified that its registration drive for waste collectors was initiated following a directive from the High Court, which mandated the registration of entities working for local bodies such as panchayats. The GSPCB noted that it voluntarily extended this registration requirement to include industrial and commercial waste collectors, going beyond the court's specific order. However, in a recent strategic meeting, the Board has now decided to deregister all units except those specifically serving local bodies, marking a significant shift in its regulatory approach.
