NT NETWORK
PANAJI
In order to restore safe and clean air in Vasco, state’s environment department will order the Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) to reduce coal handling at the port by 50 per cent and if not complied with, it will have to face closure of coal operations.
Minister of Environment Rajendra Arlekar responding to the demand to curb the coal pollution caused due to the coal handling at MPT, said that people have the right to clean air and no one should be allowed to take away that right. He stated that coal was being handled by Adani Mormugao Port Terminal Private Ltd and JSWs South West Port Ltd.
He said, “We had asked the MPT to reduce the coal handling by 25 per cent. We will further ask them to reduce the operations by 50 per cent. And if MPT does not comply with the orders, then we will withdraw the consent for coal handling operations.”
Arlekar informed that the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has installed air quality monitoring systems around the port town and is monitoring the air quality. He further said that the stacked coal does not cause the pollution but the handling operations are the cause of the poor air quality.
He stated that by taking stock of the reports of the monitoring systems, the government will take a decision. “However, MPT will first be asked to reduce coal handing operations by 50 per cent,” he said.
Earlier, raising the issue in the legislative assembly during the discussions for demands for grants for 2016-17, Dabolim MLA Mauvin Godinho said that the pollution has extended up to the areas around Zuarinagar. “The pollution is now not restricted to the main city but even areas along the Verna highway have poor quality of air. It is not very far when even the villages of Sancoale and Velsao will be affected due to the coal pollution,” he said.
Vasco MLA Carlos Almeida adding to the discussion stated that the MPT should be forced to curb their operations. “If they don’t control then withdraw the permission and stop the coal handling at the port”, he further demanded.
