Move aims to protect residents from dust drifting in from port
VASCO
In a bid to control coal-related air pollution in the port town, work to install a dust screen along the Sada-Desterro road was launched on Saturday.
The dust screen, which will run for a length of approximately 750 metres and rise to a height of 5 metres, is aimed at preventing coal dust from drifting into residential areas.
The project was launched by Mormugao MLA Sankalp Amonkar in collaboration with Adani Mormugao Port Terminal Pvt Ltd (AMPTPL).
Speaking to the media in the presence of AMPTPL Business Head Sandeep Roy, officials and local residents, Amonkar said people had been struggling for several years with coal dust pollution from the port.
STEPS TO MITIGATE POLLUTION
Amonkar elaborated on multiple steps already taken to mitigate pollution.
“I had a meeting with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and also with coal handling units of Jindal South West (JSW) and AMPTPL to take steps to control the pollution. JSW has now constructed a dome to handle coal at a cost of Rs 200 crore, which will reduce pollution by a huge margin,” said Amonkar.
“Besides, there were several trucks moving through parts of Sada, Jetty and Bogda, causing immense dust pollution. We have managed to stop that movement. These trucks now take the flyover towards Varunapuri and exit Mormugao without passing through the residential areas.”
Speaking on the new project, Amonkar said a dust screen would be installed along the road between Sada Bus Stand and El Monte Theatre.
“This will prevent dust from flying from the base of the port to surrounding houses. The work will be taken up in phases, and the first phase of around 250 metres will begin at Sada Bus Stop,” said Amonkar.
‘NO INCREASE IN COAL’
The Mormugao MLA also clarified that there has been no increase in coal handling capacity at the port.
“We have ensured that the coal handling quantity has not been increased by even a single tonne, and I am also trying to persuade the AMPTPL to install domes in the future,” said Amonkar.
