Centre approves improving coal handling at two berths at the MPA

The Mormugao Port Authority (MPA) has received environmental clearance (EC) from the Union Environment Ministry to increase the terminal's capacity for processing coal, coal products, iron ore, limestone, and steel products at berths 5A and 6A. The Jindal Group’s South West Port has received approval, and the project's estimated cost is INR 3 billion. The corporation claims in its proposal that by using more advanced machinery, pollutant levels will drop.

It is anticipated that the total cargo to be handled will increase to 12 to 13 million tonnes of bulk cargo annually, consisting of coal, iron ore, limestone, dolomite, bauxite, mineral ores, and other miscellaneous freight, and around 2 million tonnes of unitized cargo annually (consisting of steel bars, coils, flats and plates, other steel products). Thus, it is anticipated that the total cargo handling capacity will rise to between 14 and 15 million tonnes annually, according to the proposal.

Berths 5A and 6A at MPA are now being used by South West Port. Since 2004, the terminal has been in use. The conveying system from the berth to the stockyard, from the stockyard to the rake loading system, and other systems that have been in use for the last 13 years have all experienced significant reductions in efficiency over time, according to South West Port's proposal.

The business claimed that by using a highly mechanised, modernised, efficient, and environment- friendly material handling system and increasing conveyor speed, the evacuation and dispatch will be more efficiently completed. According to the company, pollution will be reduced by retrofitting material handling systems with the most recent dust entrapment devices and barriers. The stockyard area and waterfront area will also see an increase in terminal capacity without any changes.