VASCO
Vasco MLA Carlos Almeida, Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) Chairperson Deepak Naik and a cross section of residents have squarely blamed the monitoring agency, Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB), for failing to tackle the pollution levels in the port town. They have suggested that the government should either dissolve the GSPCB or to initiate strict action against its officials for failing in their duties.
“Time and again, I have raised the issue of GSPCB’s incompetence in monitoring and curbing pollution in the port town, despite having data with it,” said Almeida.
“I even raised the issue in the assembly and the GSPCB had acknowledged through submission that pollution levels in the port town were high. Now, since it has come open with the data, they should immediately act against the culprits responsible for the pollution in the port town.”
“The GSPCB officials should immediately withdraw the ‘consent to operate’ given to coal handling companies at the port, failing which I will pull up officials before the government and I will see to it that the officials are taken to task for failing to carry out their duty,” cautioned Almeida.
Naik said the council had moved a resolution to stop coal handling at the port and its transportation by road.
“During the public hearing, speakers had clearly placed the facts of pollution levels in the port town, as well as MPT’s and GSPCB’s weakness in acting against coal handling companies,” said Naik.
“We await the outcome of the public hearing and if the hearing goes against the will of the people, the council along with the public will protest on the streets and stop road transportation,” warned the MMC chairperson.
Vasco-based activist Savio Correia said the GSPCB had failed to carry out its duty and act against the perpetrators despite being aware of high pollution level figures in Vasco.
“This is nothing new and everyone knows about high pollution levels in the port town. The GSPCB has all powers under the Environment Protection Act and since it has come out with the data about high pollution level in the port town, it’s high time the GSPCB acts swiftly and withdraw the ‘consent to operate’ granted to coal handling companies at the port,” Correia said.
Vasco Councillor Fredric Henriques said people in the port town had repeatedly complained about high pollution levels.
“But all their cries were downplayed by the GSPCB. Acknowledging that pollution levels in the port town is high and that MPT is most polluted industrial zone, GSPCB has exposed its own weakness in acting against those responsible for polluting the air,” said Henriques.
“If the GSPCB cannot act against coal handling companies at the port, I don’t know which agency can tackle the pollution. The government should give a serious thought to GSPCB’s findings and
act immediately,” added
Henriques.
