NT Reporter
Curchorem
Villagers from Assolda, Xelvona and Hodar have announced a morcha to the office of the Environment Department at Patto, Panaji, on February 23 to oppose the proposed setting up of two jetties for coal handling in their area.
The proposed jetties are to be set up at Xelvona (ward 6) and Hodar (ward 7).
Former panchayat member of Assolda-Hodar panchayat Sushant Naik said, “From information sourced under RTI, we have learnt that in the report submitted to the government states this area has been mentioned as barren land. On the contrary, on one side there is an area with more than 200 houses, while the other side proposed for the project contains about 15,000 coconut trees besides thick mangroves, fishing points and agricultural land. On the basis of a fake report of the area, the parties concerned are trying to bring this jetties into our area,” he said.
“We want to protest against the Environment Department which has given the approval to these projects. We are observing how the residents of the Vasco area are suffering from coal pollution. The same condition will be faced not only by our two villages but also the surrounding areas of Curchorem as coal dust flies up to 10 to 12 km,” he added.
Another villager from Assolda, Dattaraj Desai, said, “At the cost of the lives of the people of our area, an industrialist wants to set up jetties here. But we will not allow his designs to be fulfilled.”
