PANAJI: Goa State Polution Control Board (GSPCB) has delayed a decision at the request of the Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) for handling coal in Mooring Dolphins 1, 2 and 3.
It has also decided to discuss the proposal by West Port South Ltd (SWPL) for The distribution of uniform coal handling is around 0.5 MTPM (million tons per month), with a variation of 5% in monthly handling throughout the year while maintaining total annual handling to 5.5 mt.
SWPL has approached the board for relaxation on the close of monthly handling in coal / coke in the overall quantity permitted from 5.5 mtpa (million tons per year).
After the previous deliberation, GSPCB members have agreed to provide 10% leverage during the Monsun months while maintaining the conditions imposed in previous agreements for the handling of coal / coke in a reasonable season, and limiting this to 5.5 mtpa.
The current council receipt of SWPL’s request now asks for variations in the number of monthly handling.
This unit has submitted that during the rainy season (June to September), it was allowed to handle around 0.6 MTPM, without variations.
During a reasonable season from October to May, it was allowed to handle 0.4 MTPM with a variety of 10%, maintaining a total annual handling of 5.5 Mt.
The unit has stated that surrounding air quality remains within the specified limits and also that the Indian Technology Institute (IIT), Bombay, has not submitted any detrimental observation of coal handling in its report on air pollution in the port city.
Incidentally, the IIT report was not finished and delayed because of the petition submitted by the Goa Foundation NGO before the Bombay High Court in Goa.