By our correspondent, Rajkot, 10 May 2013

Gujarat government run Pashchim Gujarat Vij Company Limited(PGVCL) today disconnected power to Gujarat Maritime Board(GMB) run Navlakhi port due to pollution of coal dust in air.

Gujarat Pollution Control Board(GPCB) had issued a show cause notice to Navlakhi Port last month and warned port authority that if sufficient actions to control coal dust in air are not taken in twenty days, power supply will be stopped.

Navkhali port handles more than 28 lakh tonne coal wagons. Due to lack of proper system, coal dust mixes with air and forms black clouds.

According to GPCB Chairman K.U.Mistry the port was served notices regularly in last one year, but there was no result. Ultimately, closure notice had to be served.

He said GPCB avoided strict action until now, because 500 to 1,000 people are employed there. But polluted air can harm their health too.

He said Magdalla port also handles coal transportation, but there was no fire fighting system in place. After GPCB’s action they erected the system. Similarly Navlakhi port will also wake up after strict action.