MARGAO: The fishing community which had approached the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to oppose the proposed expansion of the coal berths at Mormugao Port Authority (MPA), received a setback when their case, which was scheduled to be taken up on Wednesday, got postponed to December 3, 2024.
However, the petitioners’ legal team expressed hope that they will be able to get a closer date and pointed out that currently, a temporary bench is in place and that they would reapply once the permanent bench returns. It was also pointed out that along with the project proponent, the GSPCB, GCZMA, MPA and the Union Environment Ministry had submitted their replies.
GRE general secretary Olencio Simoes said the government on one hand speaks on reducing coal handling capacity and on the other talks on coal expansion.
The GRE rejected the claims of safeguards being put in place in the future to check coal pollution.
It may be recalled that various societies including GRE had earlier filed an appeal before the NGT to challenge the EC and CRZ clearance granted to SWPL, a project of JSW, to enhance the cargo handling capacity from existing 7.5 MTPA to 15 MTPA.