Team Herald
MARGAO: A complaint has been filed before GSPCB Member Secretary Shamila Monteiro against Mormugao Port Trust for gross violations of the pollution board’s directions.
In a letter submitted to Monteiro on February 26, activist Adv Savio Correia pointed out that the Board had discharged show cause notices to the two coal handlers, SWPL and Adani on certain condition, that coal handling operations be stopped when the wind speed exceeds 10km/h.
Adv Correia stated that a report on the date of the complaint showed that the wind speed was between 25kmph and 40kmph.
Correia stated that despite the high winds, the operations was going on full swing.
“The point I am making is that until current spate of windy weather improves, coal handling and transportation operations need to be mandatorily halted between 10 am and 6 pm when the wind speeds are recorded above 10kmph so as comply with the Board’s directives.”
He also noted that the coal stack height is above the prescribed 6 mts and he requested the Member Secretary that the Board has to insist on capping the coal stacks height to 6 meters.
Coincidently, M/s Adani Mormugao Port Terminal Pvt Ltd had approached the board to reconsider its directions to suspend operations when the wind speed is over 10kmph to 40kmph.
Adv Correia, who lives just 1.5 kms from the port, objected to Adani’s request and stating that it is GSPCB’s moral and legal duty to ensure the interest of public health and safety.
He requested that since Adani has violated the existing conditions by operating while wind speeds were above 10 kmph, that they should be penalised and criminal proceedings must be initiated against them by the Board for causing grave danger to public health and safety.
