Team Herald
PANJIM: Reiterating their demand that the ongoing expansion of the coal handling facility at Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) be dropped, Goa Against Coal (GAC) has accused Union Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari of trying to convert Goa into a coal hub, thereby destroying the tourism industry, so that it can flourish in Maharashtra.
Addressing media persons, GAC convenor Custodio D’Souza said that Gadkari’s recent statement on moving tourism to Sindhudurg in Maharashtra, with Goa being saturated, exposes the larger plan of the Central government to make Goa a coal hub for the benefit of Maharashtra tourism.
“The Central government’s proposed coal expansion project, dredging of rivers, is nothing but an attempt to destroy our socio-economy, especially fisheries, tourism and health,” he alleged.
D’Souza said documents available with them reveal that there are plans to increase coal handling in Goa from the present 12 million tonnes to 51 million tonnes at MPT. He said that dredging of rivers is to help transportation of coal. “This entire so-called development will destroy the lives our rivers, turning them into lifeless navigation channels and displacing entire communities dependent on rivers for subsistence and environmental security,” he stated.
GAC member Abhijit Prabhudesai said that the fish catch in the rivers has been reduced and diseases like lung cancer and respiratory problems are increasing in the Vasco due to coal pollution. “We demand that Centre and State governments stop all coal operations, failing which people will revolt and come to the streets to defend the environment, economy and society of Goa,” he said.
“People of Goa are aware that the State and Central Government has concealed destructive master plan for the State,” Prabhudesai said.
Responding to Gadkari’s recent statement that ‘microscopic minority’ is anti-development, GAC said the reaction is to protect himself from the CBI inquiry that the locals have demanded in the coal expansion project, during the public hearings held in May.
“We had exposed Gadkari’s involvement and had asked for a CBI inquiry. Sensing strong opposition to his destructive mission in Goa and fearing inquiry in the future into his involvement, Gadkari restored to threatening to ‘bulldoze’ the projects, calling us ‘microscopic minority’,” GAC member said.
