October 12, 2008

Coal pollution at Karachi Port - Report

The News reported that mountains of powdery coal, stored in an open berth at the Karachi Port, are playing havoc with the health of people who live or visit the area, with some even saying that the air pollution is leading to a rise in TB and cancer cases in the vicinity. As per report, coal soot blows with the wind onto ships, boats, houses and people.

As per report, earlier, coal cargoes were handled by Port Qasim but it has been shifted to Karachi Port, which has allowed coal importers the freedom to load and unload this hazardous cargo at will in the port area which is surrounded by the densely populated localities.

The report said that cranes pick coal from vessels, lift this high in the air and then drop it from a height onto standing trucks that transport the cargo to OP 1 to 4, berths located next to the Oil Terminal and the high mounds which can be seen from a distance when entering the port from the sea.

The report however added that a project, which will be set up in the western backwaters of Karachi’s coastline, involving the construction of dedicated jetties for the handling of coal equipped with proper infrastructure and procedures would overcome this problem. The project’s feasibility study was conducted at a cost of PKR 9.1 million in February 2004. The phase I of the project is proposed across an estimated 330 acres while Phase II is proposed to see an additional 330 acres. The total estimated investment in infrastructure is expected to be PKR 2,200 million and the total investment is expected to be USD 400 million.