the goan I network
VASCO
Four Mormugao councillors and a local who had filed a PIL in the high court over naphtha storage in Ganesh Benzoplast Limited (GBL) tanks have thanked the court for its timely intervention to have the inflammable cargo moved out of the State.
Addressing a news conference on Tuesday, councillors Shashikant Parab, Murari Bandekar, Leo Rodrigues and Damodar Kaskar and a Sada local, Damodar Naik, claimed that Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) had plans to transport naphtha from GBL tanks via road as one of the options, but had failed to do so because of the court’s intervention.
The petitioners have now said their next step would be to get the GBL tanks removed from the densely populated site in Sada.
“The Mormugao Port Trust had mentioned in their auction terms that the naphtha could be transported by ship or road. After we filed a PIL insisting that the naphtha be shipped, MPT’s plans failed because the court intervened in the matter. It was because of our PIL, an immediate inspection was conducted,” said Bandekar.
“The High Court then directed the Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) to have a re-auction immediately and insisted that the naphtha be transported by ship.”
“We will also insist with the government and Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) to permanently remove the Ganesh Benzoplast Limited tanks from the jetty area in Sada,” added Bandekar.
Parab admitted it was on the guidance of Urban Development Minister Milind that a PIL was filed.
“The minister even went against his own government for the safety of the people. We request the government to hold an enquiry on how this ship arrived at the Mormugao Port Trust (MPT).”
“As per MPT minutes of meeting, one shipping agent was involved. Why did Congress leader Sankalp Amonkar not speak on the shipping agent who is also a councillor and his supporter? We want to find out who is actually involved in getting the ship to MPT,” said Parab.
