Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) asked Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB), which runs Navlakhi Port in the gulf of Kutch to stop operation in the port because of air pollution.

Navlakhi is an all-weather lighterage working port located in Gulf of Kutch and about 50 km from Morbi in Rajkot district.

The port, which handles around 6-7 million tonne of coal annually, has reportedly caused air pollution levels to rise significantly.

The pollution board issued an order to this effect after the port authorities failed to take satisfactory action against the former's warning on air pollution.

The pollution board had reportedly issued the closure notice to the port authorities in April and gave them 20 days to rectify the situation. However, with no improvement in the air pollution levels, the board demanded stopping of all operations. Power connections have been disconnected at the port, said KC Mistry, Chairman of GPCB.

Power distributor, Pashchim Gujarat Vij Company (PGVCL) has cut off power lines to the Navlakhi port following the closure order by the GPCB.

But sources from GMB said it has already started putting several measures like covering of open fields, trucks and started sprinkling water to reduce dust particles in the air.