The Solid Waste Management Corporation Bill has been put up for approval of the Cabinet, Minister for Science and Technology Alina Saldanha has told the Goa Legislative Assembly.

The meandering course of the Indian ports sector, the backbone of the country´s trade and commerce, has long been raising alarms. There are no two views about the importance of ports and their contribution in sustaining the growth and development of the economy.

In a candid conversation with Infrastructure Today, I Jeyakumar, Chairman, Mormugao Port Trust, puts forth the challenges faced by ports and his views on the way ahead.

The Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) has proposed to reclaim 3 lakh sq m of water area for developing a multi-purpose cargo terminal on public private partnership (PPP)

The Goa State Pollution Control Board has deferred the Mormugao Port's proposal to establish mechanised coal and coke handling at its berth, stalling the port's plans to revive the ailing business. GSPCB had stopped the operations of handling both the commodities at berth number 10 and 11, after the port town witnessed unprecedented coal dust pollution.

To establish a mechanised system for coal and coke handling facility at berth No 11 in Mormugao Port, the Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) has sought the approval of the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB). The estimated cost of the project is around Rs 200 crore and two million tonne of coal and coke would be handled per annum.

Following the Goa State Pollution Control Board's (GSPCB) complaints about environmental pollution and sewage overflow at the Dabolim airport, Panaji the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has taken action to ensure that the airport functions in compliance with all environmental norms. Goa airport is managing municipal solid waste without causing any pollution to the surroundings.

The Goa government has asked the Dabolim airport, managed by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) in the state, to new permission from the it (Goa State government). The State government stated that the airport is running its terminal without valid consent to operate under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1974 and Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1981 since November 2011.

The Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) and the PWD have in principle agreed to build a model pilot road from steel slag. Details are yet to be worked out, with the recent meeting between members of the Board, Public Works and a representative of the industries discussing how to take the project forward.