PANJIM: The Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) has refuted Goa State Pollution Control Board’s (GSPCB) contention that its Mooring Dolphin facility for offshore handling of cargo is one of the major factors for high-level pollution in Vasco city, by arguing that no coal was handled at the facility in the month of February-March and November-December, 2016 and hence no question of pollution. 

“Your contention that handling of coal in the open at Mooring Dolphins, offshore 500 meters from the shore, is major contributing factor for high AAQM levels in Vasco is not true, since no coal was handled in the month of November and December 2016 at the dolphins,” MPT Chief Engineer L A Mathew said in a reply dated December 5, to the show cause notice issued by the Board. 

“Similarly, no coal was handled at the Dolphins in February and March 2016. In April and May 2016, readings of AAQMS at Fuse Call Office, Vasco were within permissible limits,” he added. 

Mathew said that it is a fact that operations at dolphins were suspended during heavy windy conditions as a precautionary measure. “The handling of mooring dolphins was at its peak during 2011-12 (about 7.8 million tons) when iron was exported from Goa,” he said.

“There were no complaints of any pollution even during this period,” MPT argued. 

Mathew said that the cargo handled through dolphins has now drastically reduced and this year has handled only 1.5 million tonnes of cargo. “Therefore it is highly improbable that pollution levels have increased,” he added. 

GSPCB on November 30 had issued show cause notice to MPT for operation of mooring dolphin facility without its consent since 2003. It had observed that the facility is one of the major contributors for high level pollution in Vasco city.