the goan I network
VASCO
Briefing media persons in a city hotel at Vasco, Almeida said the committee should
be empowered to stop handling of coal if pollution
goes beyond permissible
limits.
“I will urge Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar to form the committee by appointing people from different walks of life, so that there is a proper check on coal handling at the port and coal dust pollution in the port town,”
Almeida said.
“As per the record submitted by the Goa State Pollution Control Board to the Assembly, coal dust pollution is very high. The GSPCB officials should carry out their duty diligently in monitoring the coal dust pollution and pull up the coal handling agency concerned at the port or else should go home,”
added Almeida.
“I am against coal pollution as we need good air to breathe and under my initiative, Mormugao Municipal Council had resolved to ban road transportation and the resolution is sent to the South Goa Collector and it is for the Collector to initiate action against transportation of coal by road,” said Almeida.
He said it was the BJP government which stopped handling of coal at Berth 10 and 11, due to which the pollution levels in the city and Headland Sada area had come down beyond permissible limits.
Almeida said he is against further expansion and privatisation of the port and is with the peoples’ movement to ban coal at the port.
Speaking on the statement made by MPT chairman I
Jayakumar that gypsum should be handled in bags, Almeida said the gypsum should be completely banned as it is the worst kind of pollution.
Speaking on the dredging, Almeida said he is in favour of it, provided it should be carried out with scientific support.
