Curchorem:Goyant Kollso Naka (GKN) urged the Curchorem MLA and Power Minister Nilesh Cabral to advise the government to stop the anti-people projects that are imposing on the people of Goa against their wish only to satisfy the industrialists.
A rally was also organized in Curchorem on Tuesday by GKN where hundreds of people participated opposing the double tracking of railway lines and against the transportation of coal in Goa.
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The people particularly the youth participated in the rally with black flags on their two-wheelers and cars, chorusing various slogans.
Addressing the gathering after the rally member of GKN Abhijit Prabhudesai said that as per government record 12 million tonnes coal transported through Goa and if double tracking is allowed then around 137 million tonnes will be transported which will be more than 3 times of iron ore which was transported during its peak in 2012. “Coal dust is very poisonous and it will affect our health and economy therefore we are trying to explain to people by visiting them and distributing handbills with detailed presentations so that all people must understand it” he said, while adding that all people must make such a big decision and not by only 30 to 40 people.
GKN also submitted a memorandum to Xeldem panchayat and Curchorem Cacora Municipal Council (CCMC), asking them to take the resolution opposing the double tracking of South Western Railway track and infrastructure projects and nationalization of rivers.
The memorandum had documents obtained from government records attached to it, which GKA said shows that plan are made by a few industrialists to change Goa into a coal hub.
“Not just Vasco but the villages along the railway lines, our rivers and many villages along with these rivers will be used for coal handling and transportation. Even our highways are being built for coal transportation. Our towns and villages of Curchorem, Cacora and neighbouring areas will also be directly affected due to double tracking, coal terminals, the coal dust and impact of the coal transportation through our rivers, roads and settlement areas. Coal will be completely destroying Goa’s sustainable economics, the health of our people and the environment, if we do not stop it,” read the memorandum.
