The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF & CC) has granted Environmental Clearance to South West Port Ltd (SWPL) for the capacity enhancement of two berths at Mormugao Port. Two berths, 5A and 6A, which are currently handling 7.5 MTPA of coal, will now be allowed to increase their capacity to 13 MTPA, subject to the conditions of the EC.
In its report, the ministry said, “after detailed deliberations on the project, the Expert Appraisal Committee has recommended the project for EC and CRZ clearances.” However, there is a rider that any appeal against the permissions will rest with National Green Tribunal provided it is raised within 30 days as per the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010.
The clearances have been met with angry outbursts from sections of people, especially those fighting a sustained battle against coal pollution. The Port town has been grappling with coal pollution for a long time. On Tuesday, Vasco MLA Krishna Salkar warned action against overloaded trucks plying to and from the port, saying they caused coal pollution. He had assured that he would raise the issue in the Assembly session and take it up with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant. Vasco has seen consistent protests, rallies and complaints about coal pollution. The role of the Goa State Pollution Control Board has time and again come under severe criticism as coal dust continued to blow into residences.
Against this background and the series of protests against double-tracking, the State government had repeatedly assured the people that coal handling at the port would be capped. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant assured the people of Goa in 2020 that his government would reduce coal handling at the port by 50 per cent. However, the narrative changed drastically in 2021, with Goa’s Environment Minister Nilesh Cabral stating that the coastal plan will limit coal handling and transportation through the State to 12 MTPA.
The environmental clearance for coal extension comes as a rude shock to the people of Goa, who were banking on the assurances given by the government. The green signal for coal expansion is a blatant disregard for the people of Goa, who are fighting pollution. The clearance has also reduced the 8-day public hearings in April-May 2017, where genuine concerns were raised, into a farce and a meaningless formality. The decision is a betrayal of people’s trust in the system.
Quick on the heels of Karnataka’s detailed project report on projects to divert Mhadei waters getting a central clearance, the nod for coal expansion is a double blow, and once again Centre’s decision has gone against the will of the people of Goa. The sad irony is that the State government has failed to successfully negotiate with the Centre on these critical issues.
At a time when the State is bracing up for a big fight against Karnataka over Mhadei waters with its backs against the wall, the coal expansion clearance will only take the resentment and the level of distrust in the government to a new low.
