Colva: Entry to the state’s commercial capital sticks out like a sore thumb if one considers the decrepit bus stand welcoming citizens coming from the north and scrapyards greeting those entering from Benaulim.While coming in to Margao from Benaulim, the first signs that daily commuters and occasional visitors come across is a scrapyard covered with tins which have been flattened from tar barrels. The scrapyard owner has even encroached on the pavement and uses this space to store all kinds of wooden furniture items, including doors and windows as well as metal grilles and frames. An old rusted two-wheeler has also found its resting place on the footpath. With the space available, the scrapyard owner has stretched usage and even parks his goods transport vehicle on the pavement through the day.So far no arm or officer of the law; neither the traffic police or elected representatives of the municipal council or even the chief officer or municipal inspectors, who have the authority to confiscate items occupying public spaces and pavements, have been able to do anything about this infraction.There are occasions when there have been traffic congestion at this spot, when vendors dealing with scrap conduct their business on the road itself, with their vehicles parked along the narrow road leading to the city.Ward councillor Ketan Kurtarkar admitted that he did not raise the issue at council meetings or called for an inspection at the site even once. He told TOI that he does not have powers of an MLA to force the scrapyard to clear out from the pavement. “I was responsible for building the pavement even when the scrapyard owner was objecting to it. I had also complained to the PWD as it is their duty to clear it,” he said. When pointed about the scrapyard owner’s impunity, the councillor said, “I do not know if the scrapyard owner has support from anyone.”

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