NT NETWORK
VASCO
The people from in and around Khariwada and Vasco areas, especially the fishermen community at Khariwada jetty, have expressed a serious concern over unloading and stocking of woodchips at the berth numbers 10 and 11 of Mormugao Port Trust, pointing out that the wood dust is polluting air and water.
“We are facing a lot of hardships due to the pollution which is created by the dust particles that spreads in the air when unloading of woodchips from vessels takes place at the berths 10 and 11,” said the Old Cross Fishing Canoe Owners Association president Custodio D’Souza.
He said the dust particles from the wood chips get mixed with the air and it blows inside the houses causing a lot of inconvenience for the people.
“The fine particles of woodchips also blow over the sea water and, hence, it is a hazard for the marine life as well,” D’Souza said, adding, fine particles of coal and coke can also be seen settled on the surface of the sea water.
In this view, the fishermen community has demanded shifting of activities of unloading and stocking of woodchips from berths 10 and 11 since it is located close to the Khariwada fishing jetty and houses in Vasco.
“If the concerned authorities fail to initiate prompt action in shifting the handling of woodchips from berth numbers 10 and 11, we will be left with no other option than to paralyse the traffic of Mormugao Port,” said D’Souza.
The locals from the coast of Khariwada have decided to launch an agitation if no steps are taken to curb pollution caused due to wood chips.