In a notice issued to Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) yesterday,the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has warned that the consent givento operate under the Air and Water Pollution Control Acts would be revoked, ifthe port authorities do not control pollution "that has exceeded theprescribed levels" in Vasco town, situated 40 kms from Panaji.
The coal is handled at MPT's berth number 10 and 11, whichhas been causing severe air pollution in Vasco town, resulting in environmentaldegradation and adverse impact on the health of the local residents, the noticesaid.
The Board, which conducted inspection of the port twiceduring the recent past, has observed that "due to inadequate pollutioncontrol measures being implemented by the port authorities, the concentrationlevels of particles are found exceeding the permissible limits on variousoccasions during the course of ambient air quality monitoring".
The port has also not installed a continuous ambient airquality monitoring station, as per the directives of Central Pollution ControlBoard, till date, GPSCB member secretary Lavinsons Martin said.
The port management officials are now summoned on November11, 2012 along with all relevant documents and data pertaining to the amount ofcoal and dusty cargo being handled by the port.
