Magdalla Residents Suffer in Silence as Coal Ash Pollution Goes Unchecked by GPCB

Surat : The Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB), the state’s pollution watchdog, takes swift action against small unit owners who violate pollution norms but turns a blind eye to the coal mafia that is responsible for spreading pollution in Magdalla and nearby villages in Surat by disobeying the coal storage and handling norms laid down by the Gujarat Government.

The GPCB officials have been sound asleep for the past couple of years despite repeated complaints from environmental activists, local residents, and political leaders about the illegal storage of huge quantities of coal on government and privately owned land near the Magdalla port.

Darshan Naik, general secretary of the Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCB), has submitted a representation to the Member Secretary of the GPCB, demanding strict action against the coal mafia for violating coal storage and handling rules and causing massive environmental damage with ‘black ash’ pollution.

“This is my second letter to curb the coal pollution menace in Magdalla,” Darshan Naik, general secretary of Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCB), told The Blunt Times, “but the GPCB officials have yet to visit the spot, let alone take action on the law violators.”

Thousands of tonnes of coal are being stored in the open without the consent of the appropriate authorities.  Pollution is developing in the surrounding regions as a result of unlawful coal storage.  The Gujarat Pollution Control Board has established certain particular standards for coal storage.  However, these requirements are not properly enforced when it comes to storing coal on public and private property in and around Magdalla. “Human settlements can be found near Magdalla’s port.”  Because of the high winds in the port region, coal flakes are blown off the coal stacks and disperse across the human settlements.  The individuals living in the human colony face a major danger to their health and well-being.  There is also the prospect of significant environmental harm.” Naik stated.