PANJIM: Goa State Pollution Control Board’s (GSPCB) records indicate that the pollution levels in Vasco have come down tremendously after a stop in coal handling by Mormugao Port Trust at its berth number 10 and 11, since the last week of September.

GSPCB has captured the dust pollution at six ambient air quality monitoring stations installed across Vasco town. The records reveal that the pollution levels have dropped down drastically improving the quality of air in the port town.

VASCO: With the October 31 deadline set by South Goa Collector to clear garbage within 10 kms of Dabolim airport to prevent bird-hits fast approaching, four South Goa panchayats on Friday requested Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) to pick up their garbage till they make alternate arrangements.

At a meeting, the sarpanchas and panchas of Chicalim, Bogmalo-Chicolna, Sancoale and Velsao-Pale Panchayats requested MMC to consider their proposal.

PANJIM: Goa State Pollution Control Board is thinking of shifting the coal cargo which is lying at Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) to avoid the possibility of a fire since it lies close to Indian Oil Corporation's tanks.

A meeting of MPT officials has been called on Friday to discuss the issue. The meeting would be attended by Mormugao Port workers union and Kirloskar Ferrous Industries Limited (KFIL), one of the Mormugao Port users, whose 15,829.33 million tonne met coke is lying at berth number 11, at which the consent to operate stands suspended.

VASCO: Assuring to phase out coal dust pollution in the port town, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Thursday took a swipe at MPT for “openly handling coal without following procedures.”

Addressing a public grievance meeting at Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) hall at Vasco, Parrikar requested people for patience to resolve the coal dust problem, as he was preoccupied with the mining imbroglio.

MARGAO: Asserting there should be no place for illegal mining in Goa, South Goa MP on Monday said he would soon convene a meeting of the Parliament Estimates Committee to discuss the mining issue plaguing the state.

“As Chairman of the Parliament’s Estimates Committee, I would convene a meeting of the Committee to discuss the Goa mining issue to find out a solution to the problem”, he said, while calling for a stop to mining in the forest area.

The tourist village of Colva is grappling with the problem of garbage collection and disposal. It’s one of the few coastal villages still facing a ban on multi-dwelling units since the last three years for want of waste disposal mechanism.

Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) report filed in the high court in July this year only showed there’s no improvement at the ground level, with the Board recommending further curbs and restrictions on further development, construction in the village until the implementation of the provisions of Rural Garbage Disposal Scheme, 2005.

VASCO: In a significant decision, the Mormugao Planning and Development Authority (MPDA) has directed Ganesh Benzoplast Ltd at Sada Bogda to demolish the tanks and to remove hazardous storage of sulphuric acid and furnace oil from its premises within seven days.

In a notice dated August 27, the MPDA directed the company to comply with the directives, failing which the MPDA will demolish the structures and recover the cost from the company.

PANJIM: The Chief Minister has thrown his entire might behind the man the government bent over to please by denotifing his land marked for airport parking.

The Goa Mines and Geology Department has ordered the suspension of two iron ore and bauxite mines which found mention for alleged illegality in the controversial Public Accounts Committee (PAC) draft report.

The eight teams of Shah Commission, probing illegal mining in Goa, have completed almost 75 per cent of the work relating to inspection of mines, officials said adding that the work would be completed this weekend.