Scores of Goans unite in Margao to demand halt to coal projects

NT Reporter

Margao

Hundreds of Goans from across the state gathered at Lohia Maidan, Margao, on Sunday evening to renew their demand to stop all plans for increasing coal handling and related projects in Goa.

The public meeting, organised by the Goyant Kollso Naka group, brought together political and social leaders, along with citizens, united in their call to safeguard Goa’s environment and future. “More than a hundred panchayats passed unanimous resolutions saying no to coal and to have the rivers in our hands. We have to now reignite the movement to ensure the safety of our Goa and to stop the government from allowing these projects,” said social activist Abhijit Prabhudesai.

Urging people to reignite their support to protect Goa’s natural resources,he said the state government had begun granting permissions for several allied projects, including environmental clearance for South Western Railway (SWR), dredging work at Vasco, the new Borim Bridge to facilitate coal movement, widening of NH-4A at Bhoma through the Western Ghats, double tracking of SWR, the proposed coal jetty and railway over bridge at Xelvona, plans to build bandharas or dams in Usgao-Khadepar for steel plants, and new proposals in Falnem.

He also cited the widening of SH-6 in Panchawadi, Durbhat, and Neura, which he said would damage rivers and khazan lands.

The gathering adopted resolutions demanding a complete halt to coal handling in Goa, conversion of MPA into a green port, and the de-listing of six Goan rivers from the National Waterways Act and port limits. The demands also included dropping all dredging and jetty proposals, halting coal handling and transportation infrastructure projects, and denying permissions for any new steel plants in the state. Speaking to the media, Leader of Opposition

Yuri Alemao said, “The government is hell-bent to destroy

and has failed to save the state in all aspects”.

Today we have seen that people’s power is supreme and we will always support calls for safeguarding Goa. Conducting of the carrying capacity of state is a demand we have always made but hasn’t been done. We had gone to the streets five years ago and we are ready to go again,” said Alemao.