FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 2024
Team Herald
MARGAO: Opposition MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco on Wednesday said he fails to understand why the State Government is hell-bent on getting environmentally disastrous mega projects like marina at Nauxim Bay and Sancoale, converting the State into coal hub and transportation corridor, proposed double tracking of SWR line from Vasco to Hospet etc.
The MLA has written a letter to the Chief Minister, Environment Minister and others with regards to the public hearing that has been called for the Nauxim Bay Marina project on July 26, 2020.
"What is the urgency in calling a public hearing in the midst of the global pandemic and at the peak of the monsoon season? Is holding the public hearing for a marina project promoted by a private company more precious or important than the life and health of the Goan people," the MLA questioned the Chief Minister.
"The people of Nauxim and nearby areas have vociferously opposed the marina project and have been demanding its scraping. If permitted, the marina will completely jeopardise the livelihood of traditional fishermen and others engaged in coastal occupations, and this will also have an irreparable impact on the eco-sensitive and fragile villages on banks of Zuari River from Dona Paula to Agassaim and beyond and from Chicalim to Cortalim," he said.
"Has any cumulative environmental impact, cost-benefit analysis and feasibility study of all these projects been done? Who will eventually benefit," Reginaldo asked.
"Goenkars are convinced that the authorities at the helm of affairs, both at the Centre and at the State levels, are out to sell Goa to the highest bidder. Let us not forget that the Nauxim marina project is only for the benefit of a handful of rich people, and local Goenkars would be turned into paupers in the process," Reginaldo warned.
