VASCO: The environmental public hearing on the proposed enhancement of coal berth terminals 5A and 6A of South West Port Ltd at the Mormugao Port Trust (MPT), which was stopped on Wednesday late night due to sound pollution commenced on Thursday morning.
Additional Collector South-II Johnson Fernandes started the proceedings, which were, however, stopped at 1.30 pm. Fernandes decided to adjourn the hearing to April 29 at 10.30 am so that time could be given for proceedings of environmental public hearing on deepening of approach channel of Mormugao port for capsize vessels.
The adjournment was a result of public demand, as there were several other speakers, who wanted to give their say on the enhancement of coal berths. Some people, however, objected to the decision of adjourning the hearing.
“The decision of the Additional Collector-II South has disrespected the Constitution, as people have a right to speak and express their views at public hearing,” said Parshuram Shetye. He also objected to the registering of names in a log book. “There is no logic behind channelising people to register names in the book,” said Shetye and called upon the moderators of the public hearing not to enforce unnecessary laws on the people. He also condemned the authorities for not recording his objections on camera and challenged the decision of the Additional Collector South-II.
Earlier, Adv Aires Rodrigues termed the entire proceedings of the environmental public hearing as disorganised. “The concerned authorities are trying to mislead people since the proponent for entire projects is Mormugao Port Trust,” he said. He raised the issue pertaining to the rape of seven-year-old school girl at Headland-Sada wherein MPT authorities have failed to give justice to the family members of the victims till date.
Goa Pradesh Congress Committee spokesperson Sankalp Amonkar demanded that the MPT and other concerned authorities shift the coal handling projects to other ports based in Karnataka. “People will oppose the coal enhancement project in the port town, as it will affect the next generation,” said Amonkar. He said that the people will not hesitate to come onto the streets to oppose and stop the coal enhancement projects.
S A Kamat said that there is no need for any deepening of channel. Kennedy Afonso questioned the authorities whether there is a need for coal in the state, since it is being transported for companies located in the neighbouring states. Sudip Dalvi said that life of the ordinary people in the state, in general and Vasco residents, in particular has become miserable due to the handling of coal operations at MPT. Raising concern over the operations, Urminda Almeida said that it will lead to respiratory infections and asthma. Edwin Mascarenhas came down heavily on the project proponents as they failed to give any reply to the questions raised by the public.
Dr Jorsan Fernandes said that the fine coal dust particles contain heavy toxic metals and there is no machinery placed in the MPT premises to check the level of pollution when coal is imported in the state. “Coal is a poisonous cargo,” said Dr Fernandes and alleged inefficiency on the part of the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) to place machinery to check the pollution level. Stating that the mercury that comes with coal leads to diseases even like cancer Dr Fernandes said that the GSPCB is responsible for the lives of the people. He listed various health effects of coal that occur through its mining, preparation, combustion, waste storage and transport.
During the environmental public hearing on the deepening of approach/navigational channel of MPT, benefitting the capesize vessels, marine biologist Pooja Mitra talked about various consequences. She said that the protected species like dolphins, killer dolphins, sharks, green turtles and other marine life will be badly affected due to the dredging exercise or the deepening of the approach channel of MPT. Mitra said that the deepening of the approach channel at the port will lead to a climatic change and urged the MPT and the project proponent for the enhancement of coal berths project not to play with the life of children, who will be the future generation.
Cyril Fernandes opposed the import of coal and also the deepening of the port channel, as they would affect the people in and around the port town. He alleged that the MPT has not shown the inflammable commodities to the Environment Impact Assessment authority. Fearing that the coal business at the port premises will grow to a great extent by 2030, he demanded that the MPT shift the coal cargo to the JSW’s Jaigarh Port. He also called upon the port authorities to promote tourism-related projects and not dirty cargo, which created pollution. He also demanded that the fishing community and their livelihood be protected.
Avinash Tavares said that the MPT has a hidden agenda behind the dredging exercise and that the impact of the deepening of the channel has not been studied by MPT.
The environmental public hearing on the deepening of the approach channel of Mormugao port for the benefit of capesize vessels continued till late Thursday night and had to be adjourned to April 29 at 2.30 pm. The announcement of the adjournment was made by District Collector, South, Swapnil Naik.
Meanwhile, the environmental public hearing on redevelopment of berths 8 and 9 will be held on April 28.