PANAJI
Goa TMC vice-president & Cuncolim candidate Dr Jorson Fernandes stepped up his attack against the Goa State Pollution Control Board for its inefficiency to control the coal spillage during transportation on the rail tracks and road.
Dr Jorson issued strong statements at a press conference held at the party office in Cuncolim. The TMC leader also claimed that an environmental disaster was waiting to happen given the coal spillage was even affecting groundwater, stated a press release.
“Coal is not being checked before transportation or while unloading from the ship by the Goa State Pollution Control Board. The board has to answer as to how much coal is being spilt on the road/track during transportation? Neither is the board ready to find out quality nor the quantity of coal being spilt,” said the TMC leader.
Questioning the existence of the pollution control board in Goa, Dr Jorson said, “When we took the spillage of coal for testing to the board (Pollution Control), they asked me to pay Rs 25,000 to know the type of coal and what it contains. Why should I have to pay? It is their job and they aren’t doing it.”
Stating that after nine months he got a reply from the laboratory regarding the coal type, TMC leader said, “I got the reply from the lab after nine long months. This proves that the Goa Pollution Control Board doesn’t even have the facility to test the coal and its content.”
Calling for the stoppage of coal transportation since it is not benefiting the people of Goa, Dr Jorson said, “This coal spillage will be disastrous for the environment where groundwater is being polluted. We are drinking water that has approximately 1.296 mg of lead whereas it should not be more than 0.01 mg. This would affect our children with neurological diseases.”
