PANJIM: In a surprising development, considering that the election code of conduct is in force, the Goa State Pollution Control Board on Monday renewed consent to operate to South West Port Ltd for handling 4.8 million metric tonnes of coal per year.
The renewal of consent to operate is under Section 25/26 of the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 & under Section 21 of the Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and Renewal of Authorisation under Rule 6(i) of the Hazardous and other Wastes (Management and Transboundry Movement) amended Rules 2018, GSPCB said.
The consent to operate has been issued in supersession of the earlier consent orders issued and is valid up to March 31, 2020, the consent order states.
It further states that the consent to operate and authorisation is valid for handling of coaking coal/coke (import) – 0.4 MMT/month; limestone (import) – 1 MMT/annum and steel slab (export) – 1 MMT/annum.
A few months ago, pictures of coal pollution in Mormugao area had gone viral. Taking cognisance of this, GSPCB had stated that the coal handling operations be stopped in case of wind speed above 10 kmph as it may lead to the spreading of loose coal dust all over the town, but following the recent demand by stakeholders, GSPCB has changed the guideline granting a relaxation in the wind speed limit and increasing it from 10 kmph to 30 kmph.
Reacting to the GSPCB
decision, in particular the relaxation in the wind speed limit, Vasco-based anti-coal pollution activist Sherwyn Correia said, “Goa State Pollution Control Board has lost all credibility, and become a laughing stock. Our fight will continue until coal handling is completely stopped. It is time MPT wakes up and smells the coffee and sees life beyond coal, and promotes green non-polluting cargo instead.”
Recently, the Mormugao Port and Railway Workers’ Union had demanded the restoration of their livelihood to the govt. They had also claimed they would obey the guidelines given by the concerned authorities and handle coal in a scientific manner. MPRWU has mentioned that some NGOs were coming in the way of their livelihood.
