PANAJI
Minister for Environment and Climate Change Nilesh Cabral has allayed apprehensions about the coal handling activity at Mormugao Port claiming that the firms do not exceed the permissible limit.
Replying to a Calling Attention motion tabled by Opposition legislators Vijai Sardesai and Carlos Ferreira, Cabral added that the JSW Steel Ltd will be constructing a dome structure at the Port within eight months to curb coal pollution.
The Opposition benches, during the discussion on Tuesday alleged Goa State Pollution Control Board’s ineffectiveness to control air pollution.
Sardesai further claimed that the MPA Chairman’s letter stated that berth numbers 5, 6, and 7 are given to JSW for 30 years to handle coal at the port. “This came as a shocker to me,” he claimed.
The minister further replied that the GSPCB has carried out air quality monitoring at 17 locations in the State under the National Air Quality Monitoring Program (NAMP).
“The reports, in general, indicate that the Air Quality Index (AQI) is predominantly good to satisfactory at most of the locations monitored for last one year and a few locations the Air Quality Index has been found to be moderate. The Central Pollution Control Board sanctioned the additional stations for monitoring the air quality in the State. GSPCB is in the process of setting up these stations,” Cabral added.
The Board is also setting up Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Station (CAAQMS) at Vasco which will be operational by year end. In addition to these measures, the Board has also set up indicative sensor based stations at four locations in sensitive areas such as Dudhsagar, Colva and Baga.
“In case of exceedances, the Board issues letters to the concerned authorities such as local bodies, transport, and Industrial association to take necessary action. The Board also conducts stack monitoring of various industries and also Ambient Air Quality Monitoring with Mobile CAAQMS for compliance verification against consent conditions,” reads the reply, adding, “In the event of exceedances the Board initiates necessary action under the provisions of the Air Act. The Board also conducts Ambient Air Quality Monitoring along the transportation routes used for transportation of e-auctioned and royalty paid ore. In case it is found that the quality of the Ambient Air is below the prescribed standards at any place in Goa, necessary action under the provisions of the Air Act shall be promptly initiated.”
