Residents complain of foul smell during coal handling Ops at port

Mormugao MLA Sankalp Amonkar and Mormugao Dy Collector Bhagwant Karmali while convening a joint meeting on Tuesday afternoon.

VASCO

Residents from Sada, Bogda and Jetty areas in Vasco have complained of unbearable smell during coal handling operations at the port.

The coal handling units have, however, denied any involvement in the matter.

Acting on complaints from locals, Mormugao MLA Sankalp Amonkar chaired a joint meet on Tuesday with the deputy collector, police, coal handling units like JSW and Adani, and representatives from the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB),

Amonkar requested the Deputy Collector, Bhagwant Karmali, to issue directions to the authorities concerned for immediate action and to find a permanent solution to the issue. Speaking to the media after the meeting, Amonkar said, "This is a serious issue of a foul smell, and the same issue occurred last year. We had a similar joint meeting in January 2024. We have called for a meeting again, and this time the Deputy Collector has called representatives from the coal handling units, police, and the GSPCB to understand the source, cause, and technicalities of this issue."

Amonkar said there has been a burning smell which is unbearable and has been spreading across Sada and surrounding areas for the last five days.

“The smell usually occurs only in the evening and lasts throughout the night until the early morning before disappearing. Local residents suspect that this stench is caused by coal handling at the port,” said Amonkar.

"This issue has resurfaced after 18 months, and I have received an assurance from the Deputy Collector that GSPCB officials, along with the police and residents, will conduct a joint site inspection of the coal handling sites to identify the source and other aspects of the problem," Amonkar said.

"I have also asked the GSPCB to take samples from the sites and directed the coal handling units to take utmost safety precautions to reduce public inconvenience."

Amonkar said the coal handling units have denied involvement in the matter and presented their side at the meeting.

Mormugao Deputy Collector Bhagwant Karmali said he had received a complaint from locals in Sada about the foul smell late Monday evening.

“I immediately convened a joint meeting at the request of MLA Sankalp Amonkar with all representatives from relevant authorities,” said Karmali.

“The coal units are claiming they are not aware of the foul smell, but since locals suspect it is due to coal handling, we have decided that we, along with the GSPCB and other authorities, will visit the site today if the smell appears again. We are monitoring the situation and will take necessary action if the foul smell continues."