MARGAO, NOV 10
The South Goa district Collector has directed mine owners operating in the district to immediately put in place an on-site disaster management plan.
At a meeting with representatives of around 17 mining companies, the district Collector G Naik issued the directions to submit the on-site disaster plan within a deadline of one month.
Naik told Herald that the on-site plan is a dire necessity to meet exigencies in the mining areas of the district given the bitter past experience.
He said the mining companies have been told to submit details disaster management plan within a period of one month, adding that the companies have agreed to comply with the directions within the time frame.
This is the first time ever that the district authorities have decided to bring the mining companies under the disaster management plan. “We have already had on-site and off-site emergency plan for the hazardous industries as per rules. The time has come to put an on-site emergency plan for each of the mining areas”, he said.
Naik said the authorities will hold mock drills in the mining areas of the district after the companies submit their on-site plans. “we have had mock drills for the industries. The same would now be held for the mining companies”, he added.
The district collector also took the opportunity to convey a message to the mining companies to submit a mining transport plan format to the Mines department to better management of traffic in the areas of Sanguem and Quepem talukas.
“The mining companies have been directed to submit a weekly traffic format to the Mines department. Based on the format, the authorities can make traffic arrangements for the transporting of ore from the mines to Curchorem”, he added.
