Panjim, March 4 : Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) today asked the Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) to comply with all the directions given by them while executing its expansion projects failing which a criminal case would be filed.
GSPCB Chairman Simon de Souza on Friday said that formal action including criminal case would be filed against MPT, if it goes ahead with its expansion project without adhering to the directives of the board.
De Souza had inspected MPT on February 1, 2011 and subsequently instructions were issued to them to stop construction activity or development at berth number 7 until environmental clearance and coastal regulation zone permission from Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) is obtained.
The board had rejected MPT’s application for consent to establish berth number 7 as the project had not been granted environmental clearance by MoEF.
De Souza said that the board had also initiated the process of directing MPT to carry out a comprehensive Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) study for considering the projects like development of berth number 7 and development of west of break water for iron ore export terminal.
Taking cognizance of the pollution due to coal handling, the board was also in the process of issuing directions to MPT to explore the possibilities of shifting of coal and coke handling activities of berth number 10 and 11 to berth number 7.
The board had also directed MPT to complete EIA, Environment clearance and CRZ permissions for the cruise terminal, base port for Indian Coast Guard, national centre for Antarctic and ocean research vessels, nio ships and foreign naval vessels projects.
Other projects like additional mooring dolphins, construction of berth number 4 and extension of berth number 8 have also come under scanner of the board.
