PANAJI: Goa state pollution control board (GSPCB) has decided to recommend to the railways to cover the wagons transporting coal with domes/metallic covers to avoid spillage.
The board has rejected the request of South West Port Ltd seeking adjustment in coal handling quantity as they are unable to handle it during the monsoon. People have been raising the issue of coal dust pollution while transporting it to other states via railway.
Pollution board to write to Mormugao Port Trust
The board has decided to write to Mormugao Port Trust, who in turn will take up the matter with the South Central Railway.
Member-secretary informed the board members that it has received a representation from South West Port requesting adjustment in the handling of coal as they could not handle the sufficient quantity during the monsoon season for four months out of the permitted quantity of 0.575 MMTPM per month.
It requested the board to permit the same during the non-monsoon season by allowing it to handle 0.515 MMTPM against 0.4 MMTPM so as to maintain the total annual capacity of 5.5 MMTA.
The members deliberated on this issue and scrutinized the coal handled by the unit from April 2020 to October 2020.
The members opined that the unit was permitted to handle 0.575 MMTPM considering that there will not be adverse pollution during the monsoon season.
Further, it was also discussed that since the Source Apportionment study report by IIT is awaited, it would not be prudent to permit the unit to utilize the permitted capacity during the non-monsoon season.
Members also deliberated that the South Central Railway be recommended to ensure that coal transporting wagons shall have domes/metallic cover to avoid spillage during transportation.