VASCO
Vasco MLA Krishna Salkar on Monday warned of strict action against overloaded vehicles moving to and from the port that was causing coal pollution.
Speaking to reporters after inaugurating the work on tarring of roads, Salkar said he would also take up issue of overloaded coal transportation in assembly as well.
"We are 200 percent sure that we will take action on overweight and overloaded trucks that still move either from the city or though the Highway via Gandhinagar where there are a lot of residents as well. We will not tolerate any illegalities at all because these trucks should not be overloaded as it causes spillage and creates issues for everyone,” said Salkar.
“We will not allow such blatant illegalities and we will also ensure proper enquiry as to who is the person who is giving these transporters the force to carry out illegalities despite a circular by the Goa State Pollution Control Board and Mormugao Port Authority (MPA) to refrain from overloading. If required, we will initiate strict action on the persons involved in illegal mode of transportation," said Salkar.
The Vasco MLA said he will also insist on a dome for hazardous cargo being handled in the port to prevent pollution spreading to nearby areas.
“This dome can be used to cover cargo like coal and bauxite besides other cargo being handled in the port and we have already making a proposal in this regards. We are also trying to see if we can use container system to transport cargo where the question of overloading and pollution may not arise at all in the first place. We are trying to ensure that there is no pollution and taking every step possible in this regards," said Salkar.
"We are meeting Chief Minister Pramod Sawant in the assembly session and I will again request him to convene a joint meeting with authorities like PWD, NHAI and MPA to expedite the works on the pending arm of port connectivity project that links the flyover to MPA gate no 9 so that heavy vehicles move out and out from the port," said Salkar.
Meanwhile, Vasco BJP Mandal President said the Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) had already passed a resolution in the past to not allow heavy vehicles in the city.
"We have limited powers and our stand is very clear that we don't want coal and in case of overloaded trucks, there has to be a very strict action initiated. The MMC is no authority to take action in this regards because the port and the related activities get permission from central and state authorities.”
“However in case they are doing anything illegal, MMC which is a local body can inform the Collector but we can't block the transportation. We can only minimise the transportation and prevent illegalities like overloading with the help of traffic police and we are capable enough to take such strict action. The MMC will start to take action from its side as well on the overloaded transportation," said Naik.
