VASCO
Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) wants the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) to come out with a clear set of rules and guidelines for the port, instead of merely seeking curbs on cargo handled by the port.
With GSPCB issuing several notices to MPT in connection with pollution and with MPT repeatedly maintaining that pollution was under control, MPT Chairman I Jeyakumar told reporters that they would soon write to the GSPCB to frame a clear set of rules to be followed by MPT.
“We also request that pollution measuring should be handled professionally and both, MPT and GSPCB, should be connected online to the same equipment, so that figures of both parties match at a time,” he said.
“They (GSPCB) have to come out transparent and frame a set of rules they expect us to follow, instead of demanding that we should not handle a particular cargo. The cargo is being handled by this port for several years. We completely agree with their request that there should be no pollution, but GSPCB should set the rules and tell us what has to be done.”
“But don’t tell us not to handle a particular cargo. For instance, let them tell us there will be a shown cause notice if cross air quality index (AQI) figure is above 150 for 3 months, or a reduction in limits to handle if AQI is above 200 for 3 months or even suspending our consent to operate if AIQ above 250 for 5 months.”
“These things will make it more clear what they want and we will also know what we are likely to face, instead of being at loggerheads at all the times. They have to put machines at correct locations and also provide data to us. We can also connect to the same machines and be online. It is better to be transparent,” said Jeyakumar.
Cruise-liners have not complained of coal pollution: MPT official
