Team Goemkarponn
CANACONA: Alert local residents on Tuesday intervened to stop the transportation of scrap materials from the partially dismantled molasses tank at Shristhal Industrial Estate, leading to the detention of three transport vehicles by authorities.
According to sources, around five Madhya Pradesh-registered trucks arrived at the industrial estate and were seen stationed near the half-dismantled tank, which previously contained highly toxic molasses waste. With the assistance of a JCB machine, scrap from the dismantled structure was being loaded into the trucks.
By afternoon, two loaded trucks had reportedly already left the site, while a third vehicle was being loaded when vigilant locals raised objections and demanded that the operation be stopped. Residents immediately informed Canacona MLA and Minister Ramesh Tawadkar about the activity.
As more people gathered at the site and the loading continued, a police team arrived and ordered an immediate halt to the operation.
Former Shristhal Sarpanch Prashant Desai said Minister Tawadkar, upon being informed, directed the Deputy Collector to stop the transportation of scrap materials. Acting on the instructions, officials deployed a police team to suspend the loading activity and detain the vehicles.
The issue is linked to a long-standing demand by residents for the removal of molasses waste stored in the tank of a defunct alcohol factory that has remained closed for over two decades. Locals have repeatedly expressed fears that a structural failure of the tank could trigger an environmental disaster and contaminate nearby water bodies.
Over the past year and a half, concerns intensified after the tank reportedly developed a tilt, visible cracks and emitted a strong foul odour. Following directions from authorities, the company conducted safety assessments and later initiated dismantling of the tank while claiming that the stored molasses waste would be shifted elsewhere.
However, residents allege that instead of being removed from the area, much of the drained molasses waste was transferred into specially dug pits and existing ground tanks nearby, which were then covered with plastic sheets. They claim assurances were given that the waste would be transported out before the onset of the monsoon.
Locals further alleged that authorities had earlier assured them that no scrap from the tank would be allowed to leave the site until every trace of the hazardous molasses waste had been removed.
Questioning how trucks were permitted to transport scrap despite the waste remaining at the site, Desai accused authorities of failing to prioritise public safety and environmental concerns.
“When our MLA and the Deputy Collector assured us that no scrap would be moved before the last drop of molasses waste was removed, how were vehicles allowed to enter and two trucks already permitted to leave?” Desai asked.
Residents have warned that they will continue to oppose the removal of valuable scrap materials until all molasses waste stored in the remaining tank structure, ground tanks and pits is completely shifted out of the area.
They fear that with the monsoon underway, the stored waste could leak into nearby streams and eventually reach the Talpona river, posing a serious environmental threat.
“We were assured that the molasses waste would be shifted before the monsoon. It still remains stored at the site. Until this hazardous material is removed, we will not allow valuable scrap to be taken away,” residents said.
