A simmering public health crisis in Mormugao has escalated into a political flashpoint, with sitting BJP MLA Sankalp Amonkar issuing a three day ultimatum to a coal handling com pany to curb pollution — even as citi zens and activists demand a complete halt to coal operations at the port. A day after residents complained of a pervasive foul odour allegedly ema nating from coal handling activities at Mormugao Port, Amonkar joined agi tated locals on Wednesday and warned the company to implement urgent and visible corrective measures within three days. However, the mood on the ground made it clear that the public anger has moved far beyond tempo rary fixes. Large numbers of residents from Headland-Sada, Bogda, Jetty and Rum dawada staged a protest near the com pany’s gate, alleging that coal handling has led to severe dust pollution and an unbearable stench across parts of the constituency. Many complained of nausea and vomiting due to the persis tent odour, while others flagged seri ous respiratory concerns. “If coal pollution and the foul smell are not stopped within the next three days, we will enter the company prem ises and completely halt coal handling operations,” Amonkar declared, claim ing that thousands of residents are prepared to join the action if required. The MLA said he had submitted a memorandum signed by nearly 1,500 residents demanding immediate intervention. He reiterated that he has been raising the coal handling issue for eight years, including repeatedly in the Goa Leg islative Assembly over the last four years. Referring to structural interventions such as the coal handling dome constructed last year, he maintained that stronger safe guards are still required. Yet, for many, the issue is no longer about improved safeguards — it is about shutting coal operations entirely. Abhijit Prabhudesai of Goyant Kollso Naka said, “Coal handling at Mormugao Port must be stopped completely, and the port should be turned to green mode by promot ing green cargo. This will revive not just the health of the people of Mormugao but also their economy. The people are out in opposition, and the government should take the cue and stop coal handling completely and turn Mor mugao Port into a green cargo hub. The whole of Goa is with the people of Mormugao. Also, more than 100 village panchayats have passed resolutions to stop coal handling. So it is very clear. Coal handling is against all democratic principles and against the Constitution. Democracy de mands that it should be stopped. Why don’t they take coal from Krishnapatnam Port?” Activist Xencor Polgi of Headland-Sada said, “Coal han dling at Mormugao Port is causing serious public health hazards. The company is bringing thermal coal from In donesia, which is emanating a foul smell. Why doesn’t the government stop it completely? Is coal more important than people’s lives? People are facing serious respiratory problems due to dust pollution.” Activist Rupesh Shinkre said, “The protests happening in Mormugao clearly show that something is seriously troubling the people. The foul smell may have been the trigger, but the real issue has always been coal and its im pact on our health and environment. It is quite surpris ing that leaders from the same political party — a former Minister on February 10 and the present MLA the follow ing day — have suddenly woken up to this issue. This only proves that the problem is real and cannot be ignored any longer. I am happy to see that the people of Mormugao have finally joined this fight against coal and coal pollu tion. This struggle is important, because if coal handling continues, the situation will only get worse in the coming days for the people of Mormugao.”
“This is not about politics. This is about people’s lives, their health, and their future. The fight must continue, and people must not give up. When people raise their voices together, it is their voice that truly matters,” Shinkre concluded. South Goa MP Capt Viriato Fernandes escalated the at tack, linking the issue to alleged political complicity. “The recent emission of a strong, pungent, unbearable smell from imported coal is the result of corruption and nep otism being played out in Mormugao. When the elected representative is allegedly involved in the coal business at the port, one wonders what the fate of the people will be. Him putting up a show of protest is to hide his involve ment in the coal business. I raised the matter during my Budget speech in the Lok Sabha and will continue to fight this evil along with the people.” The presence of Mormugao Deputy Collector Bhagwant ‘Pratik’ Karmali and heavy police deployment under scored the tension. An earlier inspection by officials of the Mormugao Port Authority and the coal handling company reportedly resulted in directions to implement immedi ate dust-control measures. Residents, however, insist that pollution has continued unabated. The unfolding protest has now exposed a widening di vide: while the BJP MLA has given the company a deadline to mitigate pollution, citizens and environmental groups are demanding a structural shift — the complete cessa tion of coal handling at Mormugao Port.
