Mormugao Against Pollution, another of the many NGOs that dot this state, got into action in Vasco and stopped trucks transporting wood chips from the port. How wood chips can be polluting is a question that only MAP can answer, but what is rather disturbing is that members of the public freely stopped trucks from transporting cargo. The explanation given by MAG was that a 15-day ultimatum was served to the government and when no action was forthcoming they took law into their own hands. On inspection it was found that cargo was piled on the truck beyond the permissible height and the MTP needs to look into this. But was there any need for people to take to the streets? There are times when people are forced to protest when the government machinery fails to act. There appears to be no emergency situation in Vasco for drastic action and if such a situation did exist MAG did not provide evidence of it. On the other hand, it might not be such a bad idea for MAG to take up a campaign to restrict height of chip-laden trucks because safety seems to be at the heart of the restriction. But in that case MAG needs to be more forthright about it. Also, the campaign would have to have a legal component for it to be effective.
