MARGAO: Congress’ Curtorim MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco on Monday urged the member secretary and members of Central Empowered Committee to convey peoples’ demand to the Supreme Court on scrapping of three linear projects namely double tracking of South Western Railway line, expansion of National Highway 4A, and the high tension power transmission line.
In a letter to CEC, the MLA stated that it is his request to save the State of Goa from destruction due to the alleged ill-conceived projects.
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“We should appreciate that Goa is blessed with natural beauty, be it the pristine beaches, green hills, orchards, rivers, forests, etc. People from across the globe come to this beautiful land to enjoy precious moments in the lap of nature. Moreover, the warm and friendly hospitality, the unique culture, its rich heritage and the blend of culinary makes Goa a truly an emerald in an ocean,” Reginaldo stated.
“Why then there is so much opposition to the proposed projects? Documentary evidence available in public domain, which I am sure is by now also available with your team too, overwhelmingly points to the thrust on the part of the government to bulldoze through these projects to set up infrastructure with the sole aim of transporting coal to meet the growing requirement of industries based in Maharashtra and Karnataka,” he alleged.
“The people of Goa including most legislators from the ruling as well as the Opposition parties including the Chief Minister have made it aptly clear that coal will not be allowed to be transported through Goa nor allow Goa to be turned into a coal hub. That is the bottom line as far the opposition to the coal in Goa is concerned. Why then are these projects being pushed through Goa? Is there no alternative route to transport the hazardous commodity to reach the industries in Maharashtra and Karnataka,” asked Reginaldo.
“It is pertinent to note that over four lakh people are dependent on the only surviving industry in Goa, viz tourism. That includes organised and unorganised sectors. This fact assumes significance because the other ban on the mining industry, with the chances to restart the industry seeming bleak,” he added.
