the goan I network
PANAJI
The Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has approved the proposal to shift the air quality monitoring station located on the open terrace of the fire service station in Mormugao’s port area to Baina.
The decision was taken as the Baina site is suitable and meets the criteria for establishing such monitoring stations, according to GSPCB member secretary, Dr Shamila Monteiro.
Meanwhile, the GSPCB at its Board meeting also took several other decisions. It has granted its consent to M/s Adani Mormugao Port Terminal Pvt Ltd and M/s South West Port to increase its monthly coal handling limit during the monsoon up to September 30 to 0.5 MMT per month from 0.4 MMT per month.
The two private sector coal handlers, however, have been imposed the condition that the total coal handling in a year should not exceed 4.8 MMT.
GSPCB has also deferred the decision on the application of MPT to handle 2 MMT coal per annum at mooring dolphin 1, 2, 3 as the port officials did not remain present at the Board meeting.
The GSPCB also decided to categorize tea stalls and food carts under the white category even as some members of the Board raised apprehension over the one-time registration fee for such businesses of Rs 3000, fearing that small vendors may skip registration due to the high cost.
In such cases it was decided that board will have to start a drive to have details of white category of industries operating in the State.
The GSPCB also gave consent to operate under the air and water pollution Act to M/s Hindustan Waste Treatment Pvt. Ltd to the increase the waste treatment capacity from the present 100 TPD to 150 TPD (plus 20 per cent extra capacity).
As the manual sand extraction is not the subject of Pollution Board, the GSPCB has decided not to be part of district sand extraction monitoring committee formed by mines dept.
