VASCO: Reiterating that Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) has been taking all possible stringent measures to control dust pollution in Vasco, MPT Chairman I Jeyakumar has issued directions to coal and woodchips handling agencies to make maximum use of night hours to transport cargo through the town.
He said that MPT has been considering complaints by the citizens of port town about movement of trucks creating pollution in the town besides posing risk to commuters.
In an interview with Herald (read full interview in Herald Review page-4), Jeyakumar said, “I have observed that there is no movement of trucks at night in Goa and most transportation to and from the port occurs during the day. Now, to reduce the hardships faced by the citizens due to the movement of trucks to and from Mormugao Port during day time, I have directed coal and woodchips handling agencies to make maximum use of night hours to transport coal and woodchips from the port. Even during my stint with Railways, I observed efficiency during night hours as things moved faster. Hence, I feel that from 10 pm to 6 am is the golden period, which our transporters should use to maximum.”
He further said, “In fact while handling of woodchips and coal, agencies should use night hours for transportation, we are giving Rs 1 per tonne concession, if cargo is cleared during the night”.
When asked about the ongoing issue of pollution created while handling woodchips at MPT berth numbers 10 and 11, Jeyakumar said, “I have directed the woodchips handling agency to spray water on the cargo otherwise not to handle the same here. To that extent we have told the agencies because of one or two cargos creating pollution, the port should not suffer. My direction to woodchips handling agency is to either use stringent method, or else we have to discontinue the cargo.
“Now they (woodchips handling agencies) have started covering the woodchips besides spraying water over it, but still I am not satisfied. Even with regards to stack height, I have directed them to increase the number of trucks to clear the cargo. However, in their reply, the handling agencies have stated that they are not getting enough trucks and also due to three-spell restriction for movement of heavy vehicles through the town during day time. This is a temporary phenomenon and will be resolved once the four-lane connectivity turns into a reality. However, for time being I have told them to increase number of truck movements during night time,” he added.
