PANAJI
The Goa State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) has approved an increase in the transportation capacity for iron ore from the Cudnem-Cormolem mineral block operated by JSW Steel Limited in North Goa, allowing the number of truck trips to rise from a maximum of 40 to 75 per hour until the end of March.
The decision was taken during its meeting held last week, following detailed deliberations by the authority under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) and after considering recommendations from the State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC).
SEIAA approved the amendment to the Environmental Clearance granted earlier for the Block VI Cudnem-Cormolem mineral block. The increased transportation capacity will remain subject to several conditions and regulatory approvals.
According to the order, the project proponent must obtain necessary permissions from the Regional Transport Office and the Superintendent of Police (Traffic) before implementing the enhanced transportation capacity. The amendment will remain valid only until May 31, 2026, while all other conditions of the Environmental Clearance issued on January 22, 2025 will continue to remain in force.
The authority has also directed the company to submit a report within 10 days on the status of ore transportation from the mine to the jetty. Further, the project proponent has been asked to submit a carrying capacity study of the road network conducted by the Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad in accordance with road transport guidelines.
During the appraisal process, the committee also imposed additional compliance requirements. These include obtaining permission from the Captain of Ports for increased barge movement from Maina jetty to the Dolvi plant, submitting details of the quantity of ore extracted so far, and providing air quality monitoring data from online stations of the Goa State Pollution Control Board.
