The coal corridor that Goa doesn’t need

People are justified in their opposition to coal handling and we hope the CM will not try to whitewash this coal corridor with wrong reports

STEPHEN DIAS | NOVEMBER 29, 2020, 12:22 AM IST
The coal corridor that Goa doesn’t need

The world is struggling to contain damage to our climate by reducing carbon emissions that result in global warming. The mining of coal and its usage is another major contributor to this climate change. The burning of coal releases trapped carbon into the air. Most of the world is trying to find ways to capture this carbon. But the question is why in the first place burn coal, pollute and then try to capture the carbon? 

In Goa, several NGOs and people are opposing coal handling and transportation at Mormugao Port Trust. Vasco has already suffered the ill-effects of coal dust. People in the port town have reported coal residue in their houses. What about the layers of coal building up in their lungs? 

The ambient air quality index (AQI) of the port city is very bad by Goan standards. The particulate matter, PM 2.5 and PM 10, is relatively very high leading to suffocation and blocking of the entire respiratory tract. Also, the coal ash which determines the presence of incombustible carbon shows the presence of heavy metals thus making coal very dangerous and harmful to health. Not only is this danger direct - with humans breathing it in and facing the consequences, but there are so many further indirect consequences too. If the infra projects for transportation of coal are not scrapped in Goa, the trees along the path of the coal transportation will be coated with a layer of coal dust. This will prevent photosynthesis and ultimately lead to the withering of the trees. Nothing will grow and thrive on the path of coal transportation. It will truly become a corridor of death. 

Time and time again, the harm caused by coal has been highlighted to convince the government to shelve its handling and transportation to save the environment and the eco-system of Goa which supports a wide variety of flora and fauna. However, the government prodded by the Centre has been ignoring the valid fears of the people of Goa who are overwhelmingly against these projects as well as coal handling and transportation in Goa. Also, moving traffic on the coal-bound routes whips up the coal dust that settles and thus further aggravates the environment, thus increasing pollution with coal particles. 

Coal is a third-world fuel. Coal-fired plants have to be phased out while replacing the same with solar power especially in a place like Goa where there is abundant sunlight. Instead of taking steps towards this clean future, our government is hell-bent on making us relive the mistakes that others have already learned from. 

It has been given to understand that the Goa State Pollution Control Board has been assigned the task of checking the ambient air quality in Vasco. This move is suspect in its true intent because the GSPCB seems to be just a tool in the hands of the government. It would only be a charade and an eyewash if the GSPCB ultimately gives a clean chit to the government by selectively sampling air in less-polluted areas. The GSPCB needs to remember this is not something that is invisible. This is black dust that is visible to the naked eye and results that are contrary to the evidence of our own eyes will be laughable. Goans are steadfast in their opposition to coal handling 

and transportation. 

We were always aware in the National Institute of Oceanography that rainwater samples taken from different locations across Goa for analysis never show identical results. Even the dissolved oxygen content and other parameters show different readings over 365 days in a year. Even water samples collected in the sea show different readings at different timings. The same is the case with fresh-water samples. 

Coal pollution readings may also differ at different locations at different timings. That means the coal which is will be transported through our state will have heavy coal residues and the ambient air will certainly be polluted. In between loads, the pollution may drop. This does not negate the cumulative impact of the pollution which will keep escalating over time. The testing laboratories have to be well equipped with intelligent and ethical staff as well as good equipment that is well-calibrated. Is the GSPCB open to external checks? 

Suppose the government or a third party initiates parallel testing at an impartial laboratory from our country, the results might not be on par with the local laboratory if our GSPCB is not well-equipped.  The decision for testing with Goa State Pollution Board will not be relevant in such adverse conditions. There will be tremendous pressure on the staff of this Board to achieve results as desired by the government. 

Recently I have seen on WhatsApp a photo of a container carrying coal without proper covers. If we do not act now, the spread of coal pollution is guaranteed. Ultimately, cases of severe respiratory ailments and lungs are also imminent. People are justified in opposing coal through the state and I hope Chief Minister will not try to whitewash this coal corridor with wrong reports while the poison continues to kill us. 

 (The writer is a social activist)  


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