PANJIM: Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) on Monday directed Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) to suspend coal handling operations at the mooring dolphin – the offshore cargo handling facility – with immediate effect.
The Board during its 131st meeting on Monday observed that MPT continued operations of the facility without the consent of the Board as mandated under the Water Act and Air Act. “The same cannot be permitted more so as there is at present absolutely no pollution control measures being adopted,” GSPCB observed.
“Since MPT has itself submitted that they have no pollution control measures at the site, it was decided to direct MPT to first suspend operation of coal handling activity at the mooring dolphin with immediate effect,” the minutes of the meeting state.
The mooring dolphin facility has been operational since 2003 without obtaining the required Consent to Operate under the Air and Water Acts. The Board observed that the facility is one of the major contributors of the high level of pollution in Vasco. The facility had handled 0.38 million tonnes of coal in 2016-17.
The Board has also decided to engage the services of a Centre of Excellence like NEERI, IIT or an MoEF empanelled consultant to conduct air pollution modelling to ascertain likelihood impact of dusty-cargo at the mooring dolphin and to also recommend measures to curb such pollution, within the next three months. The Board also decided to direct MPT to submit a bank guarantee of Rs 1 crore.
GSPCB noted that till that time, Source Apportionment studies through Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mumbai will also commence from first week of March.
