NT Reporter
Vasco
Accusing the BJP of reversing its stand on coal, Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) president Amit Patkar on Wednesday reminded Vasco MLA and BJP spokesperson Krishna Salkar of his 2017 remarks at a Vasco public hearing where he opposed dredging at the port.
“Let me remind Salkar who, two days ago, said that Parrikar was against double tracking due to financial reason, that he himself had asked that coal handling and dredging should not take place and that his young daughter was suffering from asthmatic cold due to coal pollution in Vasco. He had clearly stated that coal only benefits corporates and not local,” Patkar said.
Patkar added that a video of late Manohar Parrikar opposing coal and double tracking had received 3.9 lakh views and thousands of shares and comments.
Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao said, “By fostering coal handling and transportation in the state, the double-engine government is turning Vasco into a
‘ghost town’.”
Alemao said that despite then environment minister Nilesh Cabral’s 2020 assurance that coal would be capped, the Centre has since cleared several expansions: Berth 6 (JSW) from 5 MMT to 15 MMT, Berth 7 (Adani) for 5 MMT, and in July 2025, deepening of the Mormugao channel for coal ships. He said JSW
had already handled nearly 10 MMT despite consent for 5 MMT.
“Does the Goa government have any legal authority to cap coal once the Union Government grants ECs? If so, under which Act?” he said.
