Panaji (Goa): As one of the step towards mitigating the dust pollution caused by trucks ferrying iron ore, the Apex Exporters body- Goa Mineral Ore Exporters Association (GMOEA) has proposed phasing out of ten tons trucks to higher capacity vehicles and special bypass evading the locality.

“We agree that trucks transporting iron ore due leads to dust pollution but to mitigate the same, we can certainly take steps,” GMOEA secretary Glen Kalavampara said.

In their representation before the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB), the GMOEA has come up with some mid-term, short-term and long-term measures to curb the pollution. As an immediate measure, it has proposed mechanized sweepers on road as well as tar the road.

As a part of medium-term solution, the GMOEA has anticipated phasing out of existing trucks, which are ten tons, replacing the same with higher capacity trucks, thus reducing the traffic on road.

“Do we require 10,000 small trucks moving up and down, putting pressure on road infrastructure or should it not be wise that we move towards phasing out the 10 tons capacity trucks and switch over to higher capacity trucks?” questions Kalavampara.

“By doing same, we reduce footprint on environment by 50 percent. It will also help in reducing traffic congestion,” he said adding ‘the move can be adopted taking the villagers, who are involved in transportation business, into confidence.

“If we need to control dust, we can’t have smaller efficient modes of transport that creates congestion. Mining companies have always supported less of polluting transporting activities,” Kalavampara added.

As a part of the long term plan, the association has proposed dedicated mining corridors not just for South Goa but also for North, where mining activities are in large.

Team TNV