the goan I network
VASCO
A video of Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) handling cargo that generated considerable dust during operations at a ship on Berth 10 went viral on social media Friday evening, sparking off angry reactions from activists.
The video reportedly shot by someone on board the ship showed cargo being offloaded at Berth 10 and a huge cloud of dust coming from the cargo after it was offloaded on ground with a grab of a ship crane.
The video also showed an MPT vehicle with a mist canon spray at a distant location trying to settle down the dust.
The video soon went viral on social media and angry activists criticised the MPT and the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) for allowing the port to handle such cargo.
“The sprinkler seen in the video is a total eyewash. This sprinkler is not enough to control the pollution. Such cargo requires a minimum of 4 sprinklers at the site and a partition which will protect pollution from entering the city,” said an activist, Vikram Sarmalkar.
“If you see the video, there is a lot of dust flowing in the city with the wind especially because Berth 10 is very close to the city. The MPT must take extra care or stop handling such dirty cargo. Prior to this, MPT was handling coal at the same berth but it was later stopped by authorities as it had spread pollution in the city,” Sarmalkar added.
Another activist, Parshuram Sonurlekar, added: “Despite several assurances, MPT continues to handle such dirty cargo and this video is proof. There is a residential area in close proximity.”
