This story is from February 12, 2019

Coal dust invades Vascoites' lives, locals blame loading operations

Panaji/ Residents in the port town complained of increased dust pollution due to windy conditions during the past few days, and were quick to blame the coal loading operations at the seaside berth.
Coal dust invades Vascoites' lives, locals blame loading operations
Representative image
PANAJI/VASCO: Residents in the port town complained of increased dust pollution due to windy conditions during the past few days, and were quick to blame the coal loading operations at the seaside berth.
A couple of videos - one of coal blowing out from the conveyor belt and spreading in windy conditions, and another of a child showing his soot-laden underfoot - have been circulating on social media.
The videos have elicited angry responses from citizens. The one showing the black coal dust spiraling away from the conveyor belt has drawn a few comments after 2,800 viewed it on social media.
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"The dust can be seen on the furniture and also in the food," said Agnelo Rodrigues, a resident of Khariavaddo. The area is within close range of the berths. "Due to strong winds, the locals have to bear with the coal dust in their houses as well as their body," he said.
GSPCB boss: We collect data on monthly basis
Citizens in other parts of the town are also irked by the aggravation of pollution due to windy conditions.
"It has got worse during the last few days," said Savio Correia, a resident. "We have to clean the house twice a day as it gets black with soot, and we don't know how much we are breathing." India meteorological department (IMD), Panaji, had issued an alert to the fishermen about strong wind conditions last week. The wind speed will be within the range of 55-74kmph, the bulletin stated.

"The leading operations should have been stopped as per the terms of consent to operate," Correia said. "But they don't care for the Goa state pollution control board (GSPCB)." GSPCB chairman Ganesh Shetgaonkar said that they collect data on monthly basis, hinting that they have not seen the record of the past two days. But the ambient air quality in port town from July 2018 till January 2019 was within the permissible limit.
"My observation is based on raw data and we have to do a final compilation," Shetgaonkar said. In December 2018, the air ambient quality was moderate. An official of the Mormugao municipal council said that the civic body had adopted a resolution against coal pollution. "Accordingly, MMC had written to the South Goa collector to initiate necessary action following public complaints," he said.
The official expressed helplessness about the activities. "MMC neither gives permission for transportation nor to conduct the trade. Our role is nowhere when it is concerned with the business." Activists said their complaints to different authorities regarding pollution have not yielded any result. "Even during the public hearing, the proposed expansion and transportation was strongly objected to by the people."
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About the Author
Paul Fernandes

Paul Fernandes, assistant editor (environment) at The Times of India, Goa, has more than two decades of experience behind him. He writes on social, environmental, heritage, archaeological and other issues. His hobbies are music, trekking, adventure and sports, especially football.

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