PANJIM, MARCH 6
MPT Chairman Praveen Agarwal has directed the Port Users Association (PUA) and coal handlers at Berths 10 and 11 to either stop the operation or reduce levels of coal dust pollution.
Agarwal made this statement after convening a joint meeting of MPT officials, PUA, coal importers, coal handling agents and government officials at the MPT office on Saturday morning to resolve ways to further reduce pollution caused due to manual handling of coal at Berths 10 and 11.
Residents of Vasco has been opposing the manual coal handling activities at Berths 10 and 11 for a number of years, on grounds of severe dust pollution in the town.
A successful three-day agitation by the Mormugao Bachav Abhiyan (MBA) in 2008 had paralyzed the entire MPT. A tripartite agreement between MPT, the government and MBA was later worked out to ensure that manual handling of coal at berths 10 and 11 would stop within six months.
However, some coal importers went to court to allow coal handling at Berths 10 and 11, and had assured the court they would take all precautionary measures to curb coal dust pollution.
According to those who attended the meeting on Saturday, an annoyed Agarwal minced no words in stating that due to the coal pollution, he has been receiving threats to his life, which had, in turn, affected his social and personal life.
He directed the PUA to either stop the coal manual handling operations at Berths 10 and 11 or to reduce the pollution level.
PUA office bearers assured that pollution levels had been reduced by up to 50-60 per cent and assured to reduce it further.
Revenue Minister Jose Philip D’Souza, who was also present at the meeting, claimed that pollution levels should be brought down to zero.
Later speaking to reporters, D’Souza reminded port users that people are unhappy over the coal dust pollution and directed them to follow the strict guidelines of the Goa State Pollution Control Board.
“I warned them that if those involved in coal handling activities take the people of Vasco for granted, I would not be responsible for any untoward incident,” the minister said.
MPT officials claimed that the completion of the NH-17B road would lead to the diversion of mining traffic from the city, thereby further reducing pollution levels.