Panaji | April 28, 2017: The Goa State Pollution Control Board has issued showcause notices to 13 mining companies for causing significant air pollution in the vicinity of Sonshi. The mining companies have been asked to give an explanation to the board within three days as to why the permission granted to it to operate the mines should not be revoked.

Sonshi's villagers have been covered with red dust and bad air and even the water has been contaminated. The board, which conducted an inspection to find out dust pollution, found high amount of airborne dust on the route along the Sonshi and Sawar junctions.

The board found traffic congestion on the road and recommended that the mines may be directed to provide wheel washing station with high power water jets that should be able to wash the clogged mud off the tyres.

The board also directed mines to divert some vehicular movement via Sawar junction, Khodgini village and Khodgini junction to avoid traffic congestion and may instal common air ambient quality monitoring station to track pollution.

The member-secretary of the board has issued the notices under section 31 (A) read with section 21 of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. The board has enclosed a copy of the report with recommendations.

"The failure to comply with the aforesaid directions within the stipulated time period will compel the board to initiate stringent legal action against the company in terms of the provisions of the air act which may include issue of directions for closure of your mine unit without any further notice and/or initiation of criminal proceeding against you under the air act," the notice said.

"The board upon perusal of the report of inspection and the observation and recommendations contained therein, is of the opinion that you are not carrying out effective pollution control measures during transportation of ore from mines thereby causing significant air pollution in the vicinity of Sonshi," the notice said.

The board also said the air ambient quality monitoring station report shows PM10 concentration level exceeding in October, November and December of 2016 and January and February this year.

Notices have been issued to Sesa Goa Ltd (Vedanta Ltd), R S Shetye and Bros, Chowgule and Company Ltd, Cosme Costa and Sons, Geetabala Manohar Naik Parulekar, V G Quenim, Kunda R Gharse, Sociedade Timblo Irmaos Limitada, Kashinath Talulikar and Sociedade De Fomento Ind Pvt Ltd.

(Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/)