GFG President Kennedy Afonso reiterated that the EIA document was hurriedly put together, way back in 2011, by the Engineers India Limited (EIL), at the behest of the government, in an attempt to hastily make way for Mopa airport, despite the objections of the people. “This is an insult to the people of Goa, and just shows the utter contempt the government has for the ecology of Goa,” he added.
The GFG further stated that the EIA report is a shallowly constructed document without taking the actual ground realities that are prevailing on the Mopa plateau and the impact it has on its surroundings. “The EIA has not taken into account the environmental impact it will have on land to built the six lane road, and the number of houses that will be destroyed, not to mention the land required to construct it, should Mopa become a reality,” he said and held Environment Minister Alina Saldhana responsible for failing to follow her late husband Matanhy Saldhana on the emotionally contentious Mopa issue.
GFG also gave a call to all their members to attend the Meeting called by Fr. Eremito of GFDO, to show solidarity with the anti Mopa movement at Lohia maidan on January 31.
