VASCO
Panchayat Minister Mauvin Godinho said coal pollution in the port town can be made ‘zero’ if companies involved in handling the coal at Mormugao Port Trust can adopt anti-pollution measures.
He was speaking on the sidelines of commissioning of a new compactor that will be utilised to transport garbage of three panchayats of Chicalim, Bogmalo and Sancoale to Saligao garbage treatment plant.
A paper bags manufacturing unit and machinery was also inaugurated on the occasion. Both the compactor and paper bags making machineries were provided by JSW as a part of its Corporate Social Responsibility.
Sancoale Sarpanch Girish Pillai, Chicalim Sarpanch Seby Pereira, Bogmalo Sarpanch Virginia Colaco e Rodrigues, chief executive officer of JSW Infrastructure Company Capt B V J K Sharma, deputy general manager JSW Anthony Fernandes and others were present.
Speaking on the occasion, Godinho said people from Vasco are not against coal but the pollution caused due to handling of coal at the port.
“The level of pollution can be brought down to zero
level if anti-pollution measures are taken in a proper manner by companies and it is absolutely possible in today’s technological world,” stated Godinho.
“JSW should be given one more chance to make ‘dome type structure’ and arrangements which could stop coal pollution levels,” said Godinho.
Godinho said no one wanted coal pollution at any level in Vasco or Goa and recently many people had flown with the tide and had not realised that opposing without knowing the main cause could lead to taking the economy backward and development would suffer.
Godinho further said coal handling companies should be given a chance to bring down pollution levels.
“Coal handling companies must be given a chance to bring down the coal pollution level to zero level. If this does not happen and we just insist on stopping something, there could be severe unemployment crisis in the State, affecting MPT employees, their dependents and pensioners,” added Godinho.
