The state government says coal movement can be allowed if environment safety is ensured.
Ninety per cent of people living in the slums of Mumbai Metropolitan Region die of respiratory diseases, a survey has found. And the reason could be the enormous amounts of coal dust in Mumbai's air, which can cause a number of lung and respiratory diseases and even cancer, said the survey by the International Institute of Respiratory Studies.
Last year, Mumbai Port handled nearly 2 million tonnes of coal, which led to severe pollution as the dust got blown into the city by the sea breeze. This year, On September 24, the Mumbai Port Trust stopped handling coal. But huge mounds of coal dust still remain and continue to be a risk. The port trust has sought more time to clear the area of these mountains of coal.
But activists fear the decision taken to protect Mumbai's air could be overturned as they believe the government is reconsidering its decision to stop coal handling and allow it with strict environment protection conditions.
Aam Aadmi Party leader leader Meera Sanyal has now started an online petition asking Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to save Mumbai's air and air and environment.
An activist, Girish Bhasker, who has documented the levels of pollution in Haji Bunder, which is next to Mumbai Port Trust, said: "There's no safety in transferring coal in this manner. When these trucks run, coal keeps falling. It is affecting the roads, the environment and even the trees."
The question that many are asking is this: Does the Mumbai port really need to handle coal? In a city that is already starved of green spaces and citizens suffer from respiratory ailments an alternative arrangement is a necessity, say many.
The Port Trust says there is no plan to restart coal handling in Mumbai.
The state government says coal movement can be allowed if environment safety is ensured. State Environment Minister Ramdas Kadam told NDTV, "The decision cannot happen as long as the 14 terms and conditions that we have put don't get cleared." These pertain to environment safety standards and norms the port trust will have to adhere to if it wants to restart coal handling operations
Vice-Admiral IC Rao, who is also associated with the move to stop coal handling at Mumbai Port, said: "I appeal to all citizens to sign the petition to the Chief Minister to stop coal handling in Mumbai. There are other ports which are not near population centres and can be used."