After delays, work on dome to curb coal dust expedited at Mormugao Port

VASCO

After years of controversy, protests, and delays, work on the long-anticipated dome structure aimed at curbing coal pollution at Mormugao Port has been expedited and is set to be operational by January 2025.

The dome, spanning 43,000 square metres, has been constructed by South West Port Limited (SWPL), a company under the JSW Group, at a revised cost of Rs 180 crore.

Since the mining ban in Goa, coal has replaced iron ore as the primary cargo at the Mormugao Port Authority (MPA). While the coal business has become an essential revenue stream for the port, it has also been at the centre of heated disputes over pollution concerns.

Locals and environmental activists have frequently clashed with port authorities and coal-handling companies, accusing them of failing to mitigate the coal dust pollution caused during transportation and storage. Protests in the Mormugao constituency, in particular, have highlighted the pressing need for effective measures to curb pollution.

The idea of constructing a dome structure to address coal pollution was first floated years ago but remained on paper due to delays in securing necessary approvals and licences. In June 2023, MPA Chairman Dr N Vinod Kumar announced a renewed commitment to the project, with JSW pledging an investment of Rs 150 crore under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.

By April 2024, construction had officially begun, with Dr Kumar stating, "The works on the dome to mitigate any coal pollution have begun and are progressing well. The structure should be ready by January 2025, addressing longstanding concerns about coal pollution."

Despite scepticism from local residents and activists, who believed the project would remain unfulfilled, the dome's construction is now visibly advanced. Located near Sada and the Jetty area, the towering structure can be seen from nearby roads, signalling progress toward its much-delayed completion.

A senior JSW source shared updates on the project, stating, "We estimated an initial cost of Rs 150 crore, but the actual expenditure has risen to Rs 180 crore. Once completed, the dome will significantly reduce dust pollution, nearly eliminating it. We are confident the structure will be fully operational by January 2025."

The dome at Mormugao Port is modelled after similar structures successfully implemented by JSW at Jaigarh Port in Maharashtra.