VASCO: Goa First, a Vasco-based NGO on Thursday alleged that despite Goa State Pollution Control Board’s refusal to grant “Consent to Operate” in the absence of a valid environmental clearance, Jindal’s South West Port Limited (SWPL) has been importing and handling coal at Adani’s Berth No 7.
“Ever since the stoppage of coal handling operations at Berths 5A and 6A due to withdrawal of consent by GSPCB, JSW through its sister concern South West Port Ltd has been importing and handling the coal cargo at Adani’s Berth No 7,” Parshuram Sonurlekar, president of Goa First stated in his complaint lodged before GSPCB and other officials of the district administration.
In an urgent communication dated May 23, 2018, Sonurlekar warned the State and District Disaster Management Authorities and the GSPCB of an imminent possibility of major disaster involving capesize vessels berthing at Berth No 7 of Mormugao Port.
“The depth at Berth No 7 is (-) 14.50 metres, while the depths of the channel vary from (-) 13.10 metres to 14.40 metres and turning circle (-) 13.10 metres. However, capesize vessels requiring draft of more than 18 metres have been navigating to Berth 7 from the outer/inner channel and turning circle in the last month or so. Should there be an accident (e.g. a ship hitting the sea-bed while in the navigation channel), not only will it cause a massive marine ecological disaster, but will paralyse operations at Mormugao Port and lead to a huge loss to our nation’s economy,” Sonurlekar warned.
“In the last week itself, two capesize vessels Cape Canary and Nightkiss with drafts of 18 metres and length of 290 metres have moored at Berth No 7. By some providence, no catastrophe has occurred as yet. However, there is a grave possibility if urgent steps are not taken by the concerned authorities. We cannot ride on our luck for too long. I, therefore have demanded that ships requiring draft of more than 12.70 metres be barred from entering Mormugao Port forthwith. Such a step will be in consonance with the precautionary principle for environmental protection, as well as safeguard our nation’s economic interests,” Sonurlekar added.
