PANJIM: Refraining from commenting on the ongoing coal pollution controversy, Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) Dr Harsh Vardhan indirectly tried to justify the coal handling at Mormugao Port Trust, stating that the facility is essential to fulfill the country’s energy requirement.
Vardhan, trying to take jibe at green activists in the State, was quick to say that environmentalists across the world have been appreciating the efforts of the Narendra Modi government on issues pertaining to mitigating pollution.
Goa government has asked MoEF&CC not to allow South West Port Limited (SWPL) to increase its coal handling capacity at MPT until the levels of particulate matter in the town are well within the stipulated standard. The pollution authority had noted that the pollution has crossed the permissible limit between February and July.
“There can’t be any specific reaction to the issues pertaining to a particular state. They are general issues,” Vardhan said, responding to a question on whether the Ministry will allow the MPT expansion project.
“The whole country is having issues but at the same time you need to take care of energy needs also. Country is very gradually and very strictly moving towards ensuring that by 2022 we convert ourselves into 175GW of clean energy,” the Minister said.
“And every state, of course including Goa, has to fulfill the responsibility and it is fulfilling its responsibility in that direction,” he added. “Things cannot be changed overnight,” Vardhan said while dogging the question on whether this means that the Ministry will grant permission to the coal expansion project.
Vardhan was in Goa to participate in a function organised by CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography where he was talking to a group of reporters at the sidelines of the event.
He said the vision of the Prime Minister is clear and we have set up powerful leadership at the international level, which is being appreciated in terms of strengthening mission innovation movement. “There is good quality enthusiasm amongst environmentalists in the world about the role India is playing in mitigating certain issues,” he stated.
Coal imports at MPT in 2016-17 were around 12.5 million tonnes. SWPL consent to operate for coal handling at MPT berth 5A and 6A expired on December 7, 2016, and the company has applied for renewal along with doubling its capacity to 15 million tonnes. However, this was declined by the pollution authority following uproar from the locals.
