PANAJI: Goa state pollution control board (GSPCB) on Monday revoked the consent to operate granted to South West Port Ltd (
SWPL) — a unit of
Jindal Steel Works (
JSW) — in July 2017 with immediate effect, for excess handling of
coal at Mormugoa Port Trust (
MPT) and causing air pollution in Vasco.
The board's decision comes in light of the fact that SWPL failed to prove that it had handled coaking coal/coke within permissible limits for the period 2016-17.
In December 2017, GSPCB issued a notice to SWPL for handling an excess amount of 5.987MMT per annum of coal.
GSPCB chief Ganesh Budhu Shetgaonkar said the consent to operate is suspended with immediate effect.
The board issued directions under Section 21 (4) of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and under Section 27 read with Section 25 of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1974.
"As in the absence of valid consent to operate under the Air Act and the Water Act, SWPL cannot continue operation at berth Nos. 5A and 6A at MPT except to handle/transport the existing cargo within 15 days from the date of receipt of this order," the GSPCB said. The decision was taken after hearing the arguments of SWPL representatives and considering their submission.
The 15-day period is being granted in order to enable SWPL to handle the existing cargo.
"Handling/transportation of all existing cargo that is coaking coal/coke at MPT during the 15-day period shall be done under the supervision of a nomination official of the board who shall ensure that adequate pollution control measures are adopted by the SPWL during the said period," the board further said.
SWPL will have to intimate the board in respect of excavation/transportation of existing cargo at least three days prior in order to depute the board official.
SWPL had denied that there is any air pollution in the port town of Vasco due to excess handling of coal by the firm at MPT. SWPL said that if GSPCB revoked its consent to operate, then it will cause deficit of steel in the market.
