Team Herald
MARGAO: Welcoming the statement made by the Union Minister of Shipping on Friday that Goa would become a global hub for cruise tourism, Goa Forward Party President and Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai said that comments regarding JSW’s coal handling operations at MPA are a red herring. According to him, on the policy front, it is crucial for both the Central and State governments to understand that coal handling operations and an international cruise hub do not coexist at the same port.
The issue of coal pollution at the Mormugao Port Authority (MPA) has been a concern for Goans since 2017, he stated.
"During this time, Goa has seen three different Ministers for Shipping, yet none have made any serious commitment to reducing coal handling at the port. On the contrary, in 2022, the Union Ministry of Environment granted clearance to JSW to increase the coal and other cargo handling capacity at berths 5A and 6A from 7.5 MTPA to 15 MTPA. Further, in May 2024, the GCZMA granted approval for deepening the channel to facilitate the entry of capesize vessels," said Vijai.
He claimed that neither JSW nor the government at the Centre or State has any intention of reducing the coal handling capacity at the port. "Yesterday, the current Union Minister of Shipping claimed that a dome constructed by JSW at a cost of Rs 180 crore will solve the pollution issue. He probably thinks we Goans will change our stance on coal, just like some MLAs who were once part of the anti-coal movement but now support coal after defecting to the BJP. However, the rest of us Goans will continue to oppose coal even after the dome has been constructed," Vijai said.
Vijai is of the strong opinion that simply constructing a dome is no justification for continuing coal handling operations, whether at a rate of 5 MTPA or 15 MTPA, since coal pollution is also caused during transportation of coal via trains and trucks passing through the State.
"Irrespective of the statements issued by the Ministers, I, along with my party, will continue to oppose any move to expand the coal handling operations at the MPA, both inside and outside the Goa Legislative Assembly," he remarked.
Vijai demanded that the government prepare a plan before the opening of the new cruise terminal at MPA in
January 2025 or be prepared to face intense scrutiny over its incompatible coal hub and cruise hub policy.