Team Herald
PANJIM: Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has directed JSW owned South West Port Limited (SWPL) to temporarily suspend its coal handling activities at Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) until further directions.
The Board has observed that due to the windy conditions, the coal particles are travelling at a distance leading to air pollution in and around the Port vicinity. The observations were made during site inspection undertaken on Thursday following complaints from locals about coal pollution.
Media had extensively reported about how coal dust has raised its ugly head in Vasco yet again.
GSPCB Member Secretary Shamila Monteiro said that the Board has asked SWPL to keep on hold the coal handling activities till further directions. “We have not issued any stop order but has asked to temporarily suspend its activities,” she said.
Monteiro said that directions are issued considering the current windy weather conditions.
SWPL was granted consent to handle coal cargo in June last year. GSPCB had reduced the consented capacity to 0.4 million tonnes per month which is 3.6 MMT for nine months from July to March, 2019.
GSPCB has to take a decision on whether to review the consent granted to SWPL for further period or keep on hold until the pollution level comes under control.
