the goan I network
PANAJI
The Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) on Friday agreed to grant consent to the Jindal-controlled South West Port Limited (SWPL) and Adani Mormugao Port Pvt Ltd to handle coal but truncated the maximum limits of the both the companies to 4-lakh tonnes per month.
The decision to grant the consents was taken at a meeting of the Board on Friday after the companies reportedly produced letters validating the Environmental Clearances (ECs) issued by the Centre.
According to GSPCB member-secretary Levinson Martins, the Board also decided to mandate that JSW furnish a bank guarantee of Rs one-crore to offset penalties for possible future violations of conditions in handling the coal.
Handling of coal at the Mormugao port has snowballed into a major socio-political issue with vociferous protests by green activists, political parties and social organisations against the pollution and poor air quality.
The protests had pressured GSPCB to take cognisance of the poor air quality in the area around the port and it eventually revoked in January the consent to operate it had granted to SWPL after it was found that the company had handled coal in excess of the permitted limits.
The board had also rejected SWPL’s plea to grant a fresh consent to operate in March this year. Friday’s decision to grant the consent may trigger fresh round of agitations in the port town.
Meanwhile, the GSPCB in another decision also granted consent to MPT to handle general cargo at Mooring Dolphins 1, 2 and 3. Cargo such as pig iron, limestone, bauxite, break bulk cargo, iron ore pellets and sand are being proposed to be handled by MPT whose revenues have taken a hit for some years due to the stoppage of iron ore mining in the State.
