Govt asks firms handling coal in Vasco to check dust pollution

Goa government has warned two companies handling coal at Mormugao Port Trust to either check dust pollution or face a closure.
"The air ambient quality monitoring stations installed in Vasco has shown the dust pollution. We have already asked them to reduce their handling by 25 per cent. The next step would be to reduce it by 50 per cent and if time comes, we will withdraw their consent to operate," state's Environment Minister Rajendra Arlekar told the State Legislative Assembly last evening.
"We don't want to play with life of people living in Vasco. Those people have the right of clear air," he said while speaking on demand for grants on Environment.

Last December, state Pollution Control Board had already reduced the handling capacity of Adani Murmugao Port Terminal Private Ltd and South West Port Ltd by 25 per centfor failing to control the dust pollution.