PANJIM: The Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) of Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) has directed M/s South West Port Ltd (SWPL) to conduct source apportionment study to identify and quantify the source of pollution from each of the activity that will be carried out at berth 5A and 6A of Mormugao Port Trust (MPT).
SWPL had approached EAC for grant of Environmental (EC) and CRZ Clearance to the project ‘Proposed Terminal Capacity Enhancement at Berth 5A-6A of Mormugao Port for Handling Coal and Coal Products, Iron Ore and Limestone including Unitised and Steel Products’.
EAC has recommended the project for EC and CRZ clearance subject to the final outcome of the civil cases filed against the project proponent by Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) for excess handling of cargo at the port. The proposal was considered during the 31st and 33rd meeting held in May and August 2018, while seeking more clarifications.
“The project proponent shall conduct source apportionment study to identify and quantify sources of pollution from individual activities being carried out in the project and implement the findings/recommendations of the study relevant for the protection of environment in the area to the satisfaction of State Pollution Control Board,” EAC has said in its sets of directions.
GSPCB through Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) has also initiated independent source apportionment study of Vasco town, where the port is located to ascertain cause of pollution.
Meanwhile, EAC has also directed project proponent to prepare and implement Corporate Environment Responsibility (CER) for the activities which will be restricted to the affected area around the project. The entire activities proposed under the CER shall be treated as project and shall be monitored. The monitoring report shall be submitted to the regional office as a part of half yearly compliance report, and to the District Collector.
