Pollution board wraps up study of mooring dolphin at MPT

PANAJI: The Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has completed an aeromodelling study at the Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) to find out whether coal handling can be allowed at mooring dolphin.
“We had installed three units to measure air quality at mooring dolphin. We will study the data and take necessary steps,” GSPCB chairman Ganesh Shetgaonkar told TOI.
The board had granted permission to two vessels to handle coal at the mooring dolphin as part of the study. Around 70,000 tonne coal was handled at mooring dolphin while monitoring the air quality.
Shetgaonkar said the aeromodelling study was conducted by BITS Pilani, Goa.
GSPCB had asked MPT to make a presentation for two applications — one to handle coal at the mooring dolphin and second for common consent for the entire port.
During the GSPCB board meeting on May 8, MPT officials made a presentation before the members. BITS Pilani, Goa, professor S D Manjare concluded that MPT be allowed permission on trial basis to utilise mooring dolphin to handle two cargo vessels of coal/coke.
The meeting also decided that the board install its continuous ambient air quality monitoring stations (CAAQMS) during the purpose period. Two officials of the board monitored coal handling at the mooring dolphin.