Coal dust pollution in the port city of Vasco has reached with alarming proportions with as many as 50 village panchayats in the South as well as North Goa having passed resolutions against the handling and transportation of coal, making the people of Vasco susceptible to serious especially respiratory ailments. 

On  November 30, 2017 I was on a visit to Vasco and observed at Baina area an under construction reinforced cement concrete ( RCC) bridge. I noticed about number of bridge piers under construction. 

On enquiring, I was told by the locals and also by a reliable and knowledgeable source who is a resident of Vasco that this bridge was being built to be used for the transportation of coal which is handled by Adani and also for evacuation of all types of cargo from MPT. 

The coal is currently transported through Vasco city roads. Vascoites are presently more affected with the pollution of mud dust due to transportation for this construction.  The Chief Minister of Goa has already stated in very clear terms that expansion of coal handling facilities will not be conducted since the matter is of grave consequences to the people of Vasco. 

So, if such is the case then why is this bridge being built? If the coal handling facility at MPT is shelved then this bridge should have not been built in the first place.