Goemkarponn desk
PANAJI: Environment Minister Nilesh Cabral said that the continuous ambient air quality monitoring (CAAQMS) data reveals that the PM10 and PM2.5 are high above the permissible limit in Vasco, particularly near the Mormugao Port Trust (MPT).
Cabral informed that annual Ambient Air Quality Monitoring data for the CAAQMS at MPT Port Institute, Vasco, for the year 2020-21, indicates exceedence of PM10 total 53 times and six times it has exceeded PM 2.5.
He further said that the Goa State Pollution Control Board has granted consent to operate to M/s South West Port Pvt Ltd (SWPL) at Berth No.5A and 6A and M/s Adani Mormugoa Port Terminal Pvt Ltd (AMPTPL) berth No.7 for coal handling.
Cabral said that the SWPL is allowed to handle 5.5 million metric tons of coal per annum, while AMPTPL is handling 5.2 million metric tons of coal annually.
The Minister further informed that the Board had commissioned a comprehensive source apportionment study through IIT Mumbai to check the extent of pollution caused due to coal handling operations at MPT and other probable dust sources.
“The IIT study is in progress. Finalization of phase II report is in process. The source apportionment study is still ongoing, and IIT, Powai has not yet submitted the final report,” he told House.
He said that the Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) has a state of Art facility to handle coal.
“The coal is loaded on the wagon through automated silos. Continuous spraying is carried out while loading wagons. Immediately after loading, entire wagons are covered with tarpaulin to ensure that no spillage takes place en route,” he said.
