SC grants two-month time for setting up pollution control mechanism to vie for coal handling
The port will demonstrate how coal can be handled sans pollution if permitted
The two-month time granted by the Supreme Court to Chennai Port Trust for setting up pollution control mechanisms in its premises to vie for coal handling in future, has actually given them a new ray of hope, port users say.
Without wasting any time to the Apex Court’s 60-day lifeline order, official machinery of the Chennai Port Trust has already swung into action and even completed all preliminary works to implement the 25-point measures, as suggested by the Empowered Committee, which visited the port during the second week of May.
Speaking to Sagar Sandesh, a senior official in the Chennai Port Trust said the port management sees the court order as a lifeline and assured that the port will demonstrate how coal can be handled sans pollution if permitted in future.
“All preliminary meetings were over and we are in the process of finalizing the procurement of materials needed to be fixed to improve air quality in and around Chennai Port,” the official said.
Though a section of officials here feel the two-month period to complete the whole exercise is not enough, we will try our best to meet the deadline, the official added.
If the Supreme Court is satisfied with the measures taken by the Chennai Port to improve air quality in and around the port by strictly implementing the Empowered Committee’s recommendations during its next hearing (slated for Nov. 19), it could grant permission to the port to restart handling of coal (in its wharfs) in future.
It may be noted here that revenue from coal handling was one of the major sources of income for Chennai Port for years until it was stopped last October after a ban order from Madras High Court for polluting the environment.
Due to the ban, the port had suffered a heavy revenue loss in the last financial year, but managed to end the year on the positive side.
“The Empowered Committee’s recommendations would be implemented in letter and spirit, and our management hopes to get the Apex Court’s nod to handle coal once again in Chennai in the next few months,” said a senior port official with optimism.
Important suggestions spelt out by the Empowered Committee
TECHNOLOGICAL
Transfer of materials should be carried out in a closed loop/ under vacuum to avoid any leakage.
Adequate fogging cannons and water sprinklers are to be installed to suppress dust.
Periphery fogging should be installed to arrest the dust spreading outside the port.
Mobile hoppers are to be adequately equipped.
OPERATIONAL
Only end users, who have the ability to evacuate the coal as it arrives or within a maximum period of one week, are to be permitted to ship coal to Chennai Port.
Port should not be used as stockyard for the traders, but should be used only as transit point.
Unloading should be done on the basis of first-in-first-out (FIFO) basis.
Coal in the ship is to be wetted continuously during loading and unloading operations.
All minerals are to be stored in properly constructed bunkers and not in the open stockyards or wharf.
One way traffic system is to be followed for the trucks leaving the port. All the trucks should compulsorily pass through mechanized/ automated truck cleaning system before they leave the port gates.
A thick green belt is to be developed all along the periphery of the port and also along the roads and tracks inside the port area.
Wind breaking walls need to be provided all along the sea wind side along with thick canopy of green belt.
Coal should not be stacked beyond 6 metre in height from the spontaneous heating point of view.
MONITORING
An Environmental Monitoring and Protection Cell (EMPC) in Chennai Port is to be created for air quality monitoring on a continuous basis.
The data generated in the ambient air quality monitoring stations area to be digitally displayed at prominent places for creation of awareness to employees as well as to the public.
The online air quality data is to be linked with Care Air Centre of the TNPCB for continuous surveillance.
Video Cameras are to be fixed at all places where the minerals are loaded or unloaded and at every 300 metre interval along the road to monitor the implementation of the dust suppression measures from a remote place.
ADMINISTRATIVE
Responsibility should be fixed and people made accountable for their role in pollution control.
Contractors are to be made responsible for dust control and the port has to oversee and exercise control on the implementation of the operations.
Independent environmental audit should be carried out by recognized third-party agencies.
All records pertaining to the pollution monitoring are to be maintained at least for a period of five years.
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