ALDONA: Goencho Ekvott (GE) on Saturday called upon the Aldona locals to join the fight against coal transportation and the mega projects which are planned to destroy the State and benefit the crony capitalists.
Addressing a meeting in Aldona constituency, organised by the youth along with Goencho Ekvott to create awareness on “destructive” mega projects which will turn Goa into a coal hub, the speakers criticised the government for supporting the mega projects such as double tracking, nationalisation of rivers, highway expansion, etc, by destroying Goa’s biodiversity.
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Through a power-point presentation, Goencho Avaaz co-convenor Capt Viriato Fernandes explained to the people how the government is planning to get coal into Goa and turn the State into a coal hub by using the infrastructure projects.
Capt Fernandes said, “The government is planning to bring coal into the State through the railways, waterways and roadways and that is why it is supporting these projects despite opposition by a large number of people”.
Caption Viriato explained how coal will be transported from Odisha to Goa via trains and how the double tracking will benefit the crony capitalists.
“Name of rivers is changed into a number making it national waterways just to transport coal through waterways. The action plan of the government is ready to develop the waterways and get jetties at different spots to transport the coal,” Capt Viriato charged.
“The Chief Minister has to admit that coal will come through the waterways, roadways and double tracking”, he said.
GE convenor Creson Antao said the meeting was convened to showcase why these projects are being opposed which the government wants to force on Goans and why the people need to voice out their opposition in order to save Goa for the future generation.
“The road expansion, double tracking, nationalisation of rivers, etc, are being done only to facilitate coal transportation,” he alleged.
Through the power-point presentation it was also explained to the gathering how coal would be transported within the State.
