Goa State Pollution Control Board’s order to MPT reads thatit was directed by High Court of Bombay at Goa “to monitor the pollution at theMormugao Port Trust (MPT) from time to time to protect the environment andissue directions as necessary from time to time in accordance with law.”
What is shocking is that State’s prime body to monitorpollution decides when it is necessary to intervene “time to time” and notthroughout as the very location of the berths necessitate. The current closuretoo has come under heavy backroom political pressure and not because ascientific agency is showing its’ teeth.
The MPT however remains unfazed. Hours after the order came,MPT Chairman P Mara Pandiyan told The Goan that GSPCB’s “Inspection Report” hadrecommended corrective measures and not closure which he will ‘take up withGSPCB or else he will move the court. For anybody who understands law, a stayis a legal condition that lets the situation remain as it is until sorted out.If MPT fails, Mormugao Port Users Association, the coal importers will do thesame.
But the order raises some serious doubts about GSPCB. On May23 this year the board had granted MPT, a renewal of Consent to Operate. Vascowas compromised as the renewal happened at a time when summer is at its peakand so is coal pollution. The shadow boxing in public becomes match fixing inthe backroom between the duo. For example, the conditions that GSPCB had listedout in consent to operate do not make any mention of monsoon runoffs. Howeverin its closure order it does mention that all the monsoon run off water fromthe storage plot was being directly diverted into the river.
What is worse is that the monitoring of situation is doneboth by GSPCB and MPT and if inspections were carried on June 25 and August 14,why did GSPCB not withdraw consent then. Why did it wait for three months toact? The report itself has been questioned by MPT as moisture content in air ismore during monsoons and the data can be disputed.
MPT might claim that it has 7000 odd Goans working and aspensioners on its rolls but that does not dispute the fact that it isresponsible for Vasco’s misery. Despite polluting for a decade, MPT has notinstalled a Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring station as directed bythe board till date. Mara Pandiyan had told The Goan that the area outside portjurisdiction is under the State so health concerns should be addressed byit. If there was any evidence of thecomplete insensitivity towards locals, this statement by the chairman shouldrest the case.
