VASCO
Stating that Vasco is home to several sensitive installations and is also prone to natural calamities, Mormugao Deputy Collector Mahadev Arondekar felt that the National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) should have a base in Goa and be stationed in Mormugao Taluka.
He was speaking after an NGO ‘Mormugao United’ submitted a memorandum to him with a request to stop ammonia handling and storage tank at the Sada jetty storage point.
Commenting on the January 19 ammonia leakage mishap, Arondekar said he had requested the South Goa collector to provide breathing devices and chemical suits to the police, fire department and other members of the Disaster Management Committee.
“I feel we should have a special disaster management team with the support of the NDRF, as it becomes a bit difficult at our level. Mock drills and actual disaster management are two different things.”
“If there is a special disaster management team under the guidance of NDRF or if they are set up in Goa and stationed at Mormugao taluka, it would be ideal as we are prone to natural calamities and many disasters due to sensitive installations here in Vasco.” “The NDRF can cater to not only Goa, but also to nearby places like Karwar and Sawantwadi in the neighboring states as they are a central government agency,” said Arondekar.
In its memorandum, the ‘Mormugao United’ had demanded a halt in transportation of ammonia, a power point presentation on safety awareness with a mock drill parade and to declare publicly a safe zone in Mormugao constituency.
However, Arondekar said it was not directly within his powers to stop ammonia storage handling and transportation, but assured to forward the memorandum to the South Goa Collectorate for the government to decide in the matter.
Suraj Chodankar alias Balan of ‘Mormugao United’ said the delegation was led to ascertain safety measures adopted.
“Next week, we will file an RTI and upon receipt of details, will take help of a legal advisor to find if permission was granted officially or unofficially. We will also file a PIL in court if the permission was unofficially granted,” said Chodankar.
