Goa State Pollution Control Board has allowed the user companies of Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) to evacuate the coal piling on two of its berths.

GSPCB member Secretary Lavinsons Martins issued orders yesterday allowing all the five steel making companies to move the coal that was lying on berths 10 and 11 of MPT.

The coal was lying since September 27, when GSPCB had banned its handling after the port’s failure to control pollution levels.

The coal dust was found polluting the port town.

While allowing the evacuation of the coal yesterday, the GSPCB has made it mandatory that the companies move the natural resource using railway wagons.

Only two companies, which have total 8 per cent of coal on both the berths, are allowed to take it via road, that too during the night.

The order also mentions that all the coal should be evacuated by November 5.

The pollution control board officials were worried that the stacking of coal at both the berths, which are next to the tanks storing inflammable substance, should not ignite fire.

GSPCB Chairman Jose Manuel Noronha said the MPT will not be given consent to handle coal under Air and Water Pollution Control Act, until they take all the measures to avoid pollution in the port town.

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