http://bharatmukti.blogspot.in/2017/04/indian-dealing-of-mpt-affair-in-goa-is.html
Bharat Mukti Morcha (BMM) strongly objects expansion plans of Mormugao Port
Trust (MPT) to facilitate increased quantity of Coal imports. Over the past one
decade there has already been public outcry due to the air pollution caused by
Coal handling at MPT.
BMM also takes strong objections to the way in which public participation was
prevented by Central government with the collusion of private business houses
with the Ministry of Shipping and the Ministry of Environment and Forest while
granting permission to MPT for the capital deepening of Navigation Channel for
cape size vessels. Deepening is meant to facilitate supply of coal to
hinterlands of Karnataka to JSW power plant and steel factory for freight
advantage.
There is no public interest involved in MPT’s venture. Goa in fact is being
treated only as corridor. Politically Central Government’s affairs in this
matter can only be described as colonial. BMM commends challenge to this
affairs mounted by Old Cross Fishing Canoe Owners Co-operative Society in
National Green Tribunal (NGT). The investigations commissioned by NGT confirmed
that actual damage has already been done to the estuarine environment, the
biodiversity in particular. BMM calls for criminal proceedings against all
those responsible for causing this damage.
NGT on September 2nd 2016 quashed Environmental Clearance of February 9th 2016
granting exemption from public consultations as illegal, arbitrary and in
violation of the EIA notification, 2006. It’s clear that central government has
followed unethical path in MPT case in order to avoid public consultations all
together. MPT’s Affidavit in NGT dated 15th July 2016 stated that already 64 %
of the project dredging work is completed and Rs 87.25 crores paid to M/s DCI.
This means majority of the work has already been completed before public
hearing. This is unacceptable and bulldozing of Goa by Central Government.
Solutions suggested in EIAs of Beths 5A and 6A to combat coal pollution carries
scope to intensify public suffering. When there is already shortage of water
can 5 lakh litres of water be made available to JSW on daily basis including 3
lakh litres per day to extinguish coal fires? MPT would be far safer without
Coal and Coal importers. MPTs total daily water requirement as per their draft
EIA is 16 lakh litres.
The intensity of coal import also means increase in flow of barge traffic in
Mandovi and Zuari rivers. Already there are number of problems due to barges in
both the rivers. Mining companies like Vedanta has filed complaints against
fishermen citing slowing down of barge traffic and fishermen should not carry
on fishing in the middle of rivers. Fishing department also has sent out
warning letters to fishermen taking side of Vendanta. With increase in barge
traffic fishermen in Mandovi and Zuari are to face tough times as fishing would
become impossible.
In none of the three EIA reports fishing villages on the banks of River Zuari
like Cacra and Odxel is not even mentioned to have been existing.
MPT now plans to deepen its approach channel from 14.40 meters to almost 20
meters to facilitate entry of cape size vessels at any time of the tide. Its
ecological, public health and political costs are heavy that Goa is unable to
bear.
It’s not only people of Vasco that are directly affected negatively but entire
coastal residents and fishermen on the banks of Zuari. Increase in Barge
traffic will push fishermen out of their livelihood. Regularly observed
irresponsible practice of dumping left over ore and coal in Mandovi and Zuari
and washing of barges in transit will only increase doze of pollution of rivers
causing unpredictable and irreversible effects on ecology and livelihoods.
MPT must shelve its expansion plans for coal purpose. BMM calls upon people to
participate in Public Hearings at Tilak Maidan, Vasco on 26, 27 & 28 April 2017
and lodge their objections to JSW proposal for Berth 5A-6A and MPTs proposals
of deepening of approach navigational channel and re-development of berths 8,9
and Barge berth at MPT.
Maggie Silveira
Sd/-
President, Goa Unit
