Team Herald
PANJIM: The Goa Against Coal (GAC) on Thursday alleged that the ‘Source apportionment study undertaken by Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) through IIT-Mumbai, to identify and quantify the source of pollution in Vasco, is completely adhoc and non-connected to the problems faced by the locals from the town.
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Addressing media persons, GAC convener Custodio D’Souza said that based on the information obtained through Right to Information (RTI) Act, particularly the email communications between GSPCB, IIT-Mumbai and Mormugao Port Trust (MPT), it is learnt that the study is totally not connected with the problems faced by the citizens of Vasco.
Also, he said that from the documents, it appears that both the scope and plan of the IIT Mumbai study has been completely adhoc and constantly shifting, subject to interference by MPT.
“What the study is focused upon is one thing, while the actual problem faced by the people of Vasco is something else. There is no data collected on particulates greater than PM 10, which is the main concern of the citizens of Vasco. The same has been excluded from the scope of work,” D’Souza alleged.
D’Souza charged that the scope of the project, which was sought to be changed from being an objective and scientific study to a study that would focus on meeting the legal challenges raised by the citizens through the PIL, presently pending before High Court.
The activist further said that the study, which was supposed to be concluded by May 7, 2019, will take more time as IIT-Mumbai has now sought further extension till July 31, 2020 for the completion of the study, at an estimated cost of Rs 94.50 lakhs.
