PANJIM: Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has declined adjustment permission to South West Port Ltd (SWPL) to handle an additional 2.3 million metric tonnes (MMT) of coal during the non-monsoon season. The capacity was initially permitted during the four-month monsoon, but the firm claimed that they failed to handle the permitted capacity.
GSPCB, at its meeting earlier this month, decided not to permit SWPL such adjustment in coal handling at Mormugao Port Trust (MPT), pending the final Source Apportionment Study report by IIT, Mumbai.
SWPL had made a representation to the Board for adjustment in the handling of coal as they could not handle the permitted quantity of 0.575 MMT per month during the monsoon.
The firm requested that the same capacity be permitted in the non-monsoon period by handling 0.515 MMT per month as against 0.4 MMT per month and maintaining the total annual capacity of 5.5MMT.
“After discussion, the members were of the opinion that the unit was permitted to handle 0.575 MMT per month considering that there will not be adverse pollution during the monsoon season,” the minutes of the meeting state.
“Further, it was also discussed that since the Source Apportionment Study report by IIT is awaited, it would not be prudent to permit the unit to utilise the permitted capacity during the non-monsoon season,” the Board resolved.
The Board, also deliberated that the South Central Railway (SCR), be recommended to ensure that the wagons transporting coal will have domes/metallic cover, in order to avoid spillage during transportation.
The Board decided to write to MPT to pursue the matter with the SCR.
The Board had in October permitted MPT to handle 0.02 MT per month coal to be handled at the port’s offshore cargo handling facility No 2 and 3 till December 31.
