MARGAO
It was Monday noon. The Comba railway crossing had been closed for vehicular traffic. Reason. A freight train loaded with coal was about to chug in from the Mormugao Port Authority (MPA) towards Margao for its onward journey to Karnataka.
As the train finally passed by the crossing, one could see with a naked eye the loose tarpaulin sheets used to cover the loaded wagons containing the coal.
A casual walk down the tracks along the Mungul-Margao stretch of the railway line revealed traces of coal spillage, indicating that transportation of coal via wagons is not fool proof, with anti-coal activists saying the coal spillage during transportation poses health hazard not only for the citizens of Mormugoa, but for Saxttikars, Quepemkar and Sanguemkars as well.
Indeed, the burning issue of coal, which is back in sharp focus with the Environmental Clearance (EC) for handling of 12 million tons of coal annually at the MPA, has thrown up a question for debate -- will the increase handling of coal at the MPA only affect the people staying in the Port Town, or will Saxttikars in particular and the residents of Quepem and Sanguem too will be hit by the coal for want of fool-proof coal transportation mechanism in place.
A walk down the railway tracks, passing through Margao and Fatorda reveals the much feared scenario “ spillage of coal from the wagons running on the tracks between MPT and the factories in North Karnataka. Walk down the tracks, between Mungul to Comba and further down to the Margao railway station, and don’t be surprised to come across coal spillage along the railway track, indicating that transportation of coal via the railway wagons covered with tarpaulin sheets, have not stopped spillage along the railway tracks.
It is feared in Civil society circles that the ground situation may aggravate once the EC clearance to handle 12 million-plus coal at MPA is given effect, a situation where in coal trains are expected to run non-stop on the dedicated double track laid recently as part of the Vasco-Hospet track doubling project.
The ground reality may also bring to the fore the fate of Goa State Pollution Control Board’s decision taken around two years ago to ensure that coal transporting wagons should be covered by domes/metallic cover to prevent spillage during transportation.
The decision, which was apparently taken after it was observed covering the wagons with tarpaulin has failed to stop coal spillage on the tracks and the particles in the air lead to pollution.
Social activist, Dr Jorson Fernandes said the government agencies have failed to invoke the “Precautionary Principle” and take preventive steps in the face of uncertainty, saying the burden of proof is on the project proponent, who needs to explore wide range of alternatives to possible harmful effect’. He said the spillage may find its way in the water bodies and the rivers during monsoons, posing health hazard since it contains heavy metals.
He added: “When we had approached the GSPCB two years ago with a plea to test coal for the pollutants, we were told the sample will be sent for testing outside the State. This is the state of affairs in Goa today”.
Citing a study conducted in the USA, he said around 300 kgs of coal is spilled from each wagon over a distance of 600 kms, which is pretty high.
Anti-coal activist, Abhijit Prabhudesai said coal transportation indeed posed a health hazard to the people of Goa inhabiting the talukas of Mormugao, Salcete, Quepem and Sanguem. “The South Western railway line passes through densely populated areas of Goa. Coal spillage and coal dust generated during transportation will affect the people in the long run”, Abhijit said.
He questioned “where’s the guarantee that closed wagons will not give rise to coal dust affecting the citizens”.
The only solution he said, lies in making MPA a green Port and stop Goa being converted into a coal hub.
