Team Goemkarponn
MORMUGAO: Mormugao MLA Sankalp Amonkar convened a joint meeting with the Deputy Collector, police officials, coal handling units like JSW and Adani, along with representatives from the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB), following complaints from local residents about a persistent foul smell during coal handling operations at the port.
Amonkar requested the Deputy Collector, Bhagwant Karmali, to issue directions to the concerned authorities for immediate action and to find a permanent solution to the issue. Speaking to the media after the meeting, Amonkar said, “This is a serious issue of a foul smell, and the same issue occurred last year. We had a similar joint meeting in January 2024. We have called for a meeting again, and this time the Deputy Collector has called representatives from the coal handling units, police, and the GSPCB to understand the source, cause, and technicalities of this issue.”
Amonkar added, “There is a burning smell which is unbearable and has been spreading across Sada and surrounding areas for the last five days. The smell usually occurs only in the evening and lasts throughout the night until the early morning before disappearing. Local residents suspect that this stench is caused by coal handling at the port.”
“This issue has resurfaced after 18 months, and I have received an assurance from the Deputy Collector that GSPCB officials, along with the police and residents, will conduct a joint site inspection of the coal handling sites to identify the source and other aspects of the problem,” Amonkar said. “I have also asked the GSPCB to take samples from the sites and directed the coal handling units to take utmost safety precautions to reduce public inconvenience.”
Residents from areas such as Sada, Bogda, Jetty, and others have been affected by the unbearable smell. Despite the coal handling units denying their involvement, Amonkar emphasized, “The coal handling units have denied their hand in the issue and are presenting their side, but we have asked the GSPCB to gather findings from the site.”
Mormugao Deputy Collector Bhagwant Karmali said, “I received a complaint from locals in Sada about a foul smell late Monday evening. I immediately called for a joint meeting at the request of MLA Sankalp Amonkar with all representatives from the relevant authorities. The coal units are claiming they are not aware of the foul smell, but since locals suspect it is due to coal handling, we have decided that we, along with the GSPCB and other authorities, will visit the site today if the smell appears again. We are monitoring the situation and will take necessary action if the foul smell continues.”
