VASCO, FEB 16
Claiming that they are yet to receive the Italab report, Mormugao Port User Association (MPUA) Consultant Shriram Nadkarni has, however, insisted that pollution levels are “very much in control.”
The MPUA, which mainly comprises coal importers, has been assigned the task to monitor coal dust pollution at Berths 10 and 11 in the MPT.
“We have not received the Italab report and it would be premature to comment on it. However, pollution levels are very much in control as we have been regularly sprinkling water in port. Besides vacuum cleaner trucks, covering of coal stacks are very much in operation,” Nadkarni said.
“To ensure that measures are taken by us to control coal dust pollution, samples are analyzed by M/s Bhagwathi Ana Labs Ltd from Hyderabad. Every month, the Ambient Air Quality monitoring report are prepared from three points, Mercy High School, Vaddem, Government High School, Vasco and Railway Traffic Management Office, Vasco.
“The ambient air quality report of M/s Bhagwathi in December 2010 suggests that pollution is under control at all three sampling points.”
When asked if M/s Bhagwathi Labs is appointed on behalf of GSPBC, Nadkarni replied in the negative. “No, MPUS has appointed M/s Bhagwathi Labs for regular monitoring as this lab is also recognized by the Central Pollution Control Board,” added Nadkarni.
Efforts to contact MPT Chairman Marapandiyan, MPT Secretary Rajendra Pai Bir and MPT PRO Karpe proved futile, as none of them were willing to comment in the matter.
