Goa Chief Suggests Hormuz Blockade for Coal at Mormugao

Panaji, Apr 19 (PTI) The kind of blockade Iran imposed on the Strait of Hormuz during its war with US and Israel is needed at Mormugao Port to tackle the issue of coal handling, which was causing harm to people's health and the area's environment, Goa Forward Party chief Vijai Sardesai said on Sunday.

The port, situated in Vasco town, has Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ), JSW South West Port Ltd (SWPL) and Vedanta Limited handle coal at different berths.

Speaking in Mormugao taluka, of which Vasco is a part, Sardesai said "companies like Adani" have created health issues for people living in the area, which was also affecting the economy.

"If I was chief minister, I would have asked all the fishing trawlers to block the canal that leads to Mormugao Port, which is a natural harbour like Strait of Hormuz. You have seen how Iran brought America to its knees by blocking the Strait of Hormuz. That kind of action is required to stop coal handling at Mormugao Port," the GFP chief said.

The lungs of people in Vasco and Mormugao are severely affected due to coal pollution and there is a survey that confirms that the people living in these areas have weak lungs, he claimed.

"The maximum number of people who died due to COVID-19 during the pandemic (in the state) were from Vasco. There is a record of it. Or else ask state health minister vishwajit Rane to clarify on it," he further claimed.


Sardesai said the economy has been affected severely and only the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party was benefitting.

"It is not just BJP, but the Congress is also equally responsible for the current coal menace in Vasco. It was their government which brought the coal to MPA. Coal handling companies have invitation from Krishnapatnam port (in Tamil Nadu) but they prefer MPA as it saves them a few hundred rupees per tonne," he alleged.

Sardesai, a former deputy chief minister of the state, said Mormugao Port Authority used to provide employment to 5,000 persons, which has now come down to 200.

Coal as the main cargo of Mormugao Port has reduced employment potential, he added.

A few days after the West Asia war started on February 28, Iran imposed a blockade at the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important energy supply routes.

Iran had announced the strait's reopening after a 10-day truce between Israel and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon took hold on Friday.

But after President Donald Trump said his country's blockade of Iran's ports "will remain in full force" until Tehran reaches a deal with the United States, Iran said it would continue enforcing its restrictions in the strait.