PANJIM: After permitting the Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) to handle coal on trial basis at mooring dolphin No 1, last year, the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has now granted permission for 0.02 million tonnes per month coal to be handled at the Port’s offshore cargo handling facility No 2 and 3 till December 31.
Coal activities are currently permitted at the Jindal and Adani-operated berths of the MPT. The GSPCB decision comes at a time, when there is growing public uproar accusing government of converting Goa into Coal Hub.
The Board during its meeting held last month has allowed MPT to permit two ships per month to load coal not exceeding 0.2 million tonnes per month at the mooring dolphin with a condition up to December 31.
It has also said that coal handling operations at Mooring Dolphin can be carried out either at berth No 2 or 3 to ensure that the particles do not reach the town due to dispersion.
The Board also stated that the MPT should obtain environment clearance for the mooring dolphins No 4, 5 and 6. The Board has permitted transportation of coal only through barges to the Vedanta plant.
The MPT had requested for permission to handle dry bulk such as ore, minerals of all types including iron ore, bauxite, limestone, manganese, river sand, break bulk handling five million metric tonnes per month of quantity at the mooring dolphin. The Port had also requested for full term consent up to five years.
The GSPCB had last year allow MPT on a trial basis to utilise mooring dolphin No 1 up to May 31, 2019 and mooring dolphin No 3 up to June 15, 2019 to handle two cargo vessels of coal/coke.
While granting permission, the Board has directed MPT to carryout ambient air quality monitoring from the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MOEF) approved laboratory at its premises.
