The Bombay High Court recently directed the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) to take into consideration complaints about alleged pollution being caused by the coal storage facility of the Mumbai Port Trust at Sewri before extending the permission for the facility.
A division bench of Chief Justice Mohit Shah and Justice MS Sonak gave the order during the hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by social activist Meera Sanyal and Vice Admiral I C Rao.
The PIL sought directions to the MPCB not to renew permission the 'consent to operate' the coal handling facility at Haji Bunder amidst Sewri mud-flats.
The petitioners have contended that the coal handling and storage facility at Haji Bunder amidst Sewri mud-flats was causing air pollution in Sewri area, making several residents susceptible to respiratory ailments diseases like asthma and tuberculosis.
The Central Pollution Control Board has already declared that the air pollution level at Ambedkar Road in Sewri was alarming, with particulate matter less than 10 microns in size at 202 micrograms per meter cube as against the permissible level of 60 micrograms, states the PIL.
To support the allegations, the petitioners have cited a study conducted by NGO Praja.com, which found that exceptionally high number of TB patients was seen in E, F-North and F-South wards of the civic body – essentially areas adjoining the coal storage site.
Besides, the PIL has also expressed apprehension of threat to the nearby population because of storage of large quantity of coal, without proper infrastructure to check spillage and control spread of coal dust, having potential of causing spontaneous fire.
MbPT handled total of 13.04 lakh metric tonnes of coal stored in an area admeasuring 25.43 acres near Sewri mudflats, says the PIL, adding that at least 3 lakh metric tonnes of coal is stored at the facility at any given day.
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