VASCO: Goenchea Raponkarancho Ekvott (GRE) has alleged that the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) consent to allow coal handling on a trial basis at the mooring dolphin – the offshore cargo handling facility of Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) is “illegal and arbitrary” in nature.
The GRE claimed that the consent is not only in violation of EIA Notification 2006 but also in violation of Model Code of Conduct.
In a press release, GRE general secretary Olencio Simoes slammed Dr Ganesh Shetgaonkar, GSPCB chairperson for not working in interest of the people of Goa.
The MPT does not have prior environmental clearance (EC) to handle coal at the mooring dolphins which is a mandatory prerequisite to carry out such activity. Hence, MPT, which has been a consistent defaulter, has yet again blatantly violated the EIA Notification 2006, Simoes alleged.
He said the same activity at mooring dolphins was halted by GSPCB last year when it was discovered that there was no EC for the activity. Now, without an EC, the Board has decided to re-allow handling of coal at the same facility which again is in violation.
He claimed that coal handling will further aggravate air and water pollution, as the mooring dolphins, which is at the sea, has no facilities to control air pollution and spillage from the ships. This will have a devastating impact on marine life and result in loss of livelihood to fishermen residing in and around Mormugao taluka.
GRE alleged that the GSPCB is functioning under complete pressure from the Centre to implement the Sagarmala project in Goa.
GRE has demanded immediate withdrawal of consent to operate at mooring dolphins and has called for the demolition of mooring dolphins as it has been constructed without any permission or else the fishermen will be forced to take law into their hands.
