Lack of communication, misleading information and the underlying motive of coal transportation for private interests were the resounding narrative in a series of relay meetings organised by Goencho Ekvott, a body of 22 and counting allied organisations to protect Goa’s heritage, wildlife environment and identity. In our Sunday edition, we published reports from villages across the belt from Vasco to Mollem. Here are some more voices from the ground.
UTORDA
Freda Pereira from Utorda village said that the villages have unique flora and fauna and she asked are we going to allow this to be destroyed just for the sake of the benefit of a few handful people. Doubling of tracks is for the coal transportation from Karnataka. She also urged the youth of Utorda village to join the Save Mollem Movement.
Vincy Carvalho said it is the matter of deep concern hearing that the doubling of railway tracks is being pushed on us. Although, the government authorities and the railways are ready to pay for the property but what about the ill health and the suffering of the people, who is going to compensate about it. On this issue, we must stand united and should not allow doubling of railway track.
Agnelo Carvalho stated that Utorda was the epicentre of the historic Konkan Railway movement. Because of this, doubling of railway tracks will affect the entire stretch of the coastal area from where the railway line will be going. The villagers have come out of their houses because their lands will be going from their hands. Utorda-Majorda and Calata villages will be adversely affected.
Jose Cabral, from Nagoa, one of the senior executive committee members of Goencho Ekvott, said that the people from Verna, Nagoa, Quelossim, Nuvem and Vasco have joined the movement to show the unity of the Goans who are against the doubling of railway tracks project. If we don’t stop the doubling of railway tracks project, there will be destruction in the coastal villages of Goa due to coal transportation.
Captain Viriato Fernandes of Goencho Avaaz, once again explained to the locals that the coal which will come from Australia and the total requirement of this coal will be 51 million tonnes per annum. The capacity for coal handling of Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) is only 12 million tonnes. The river nationalisation of the six rivers of Goa will also be used to transport coal via waterways, further the nationalisation of the highway from Canacona to Patradevi is also being done for the coal transportation to Maharashtra and via railway track it will go to Karnataka.
MAJORDA
Locals from Majorda were also unhappy over the doubling of railway tracks project. Locals spoke against the project and claimed that it will only bring destruction. Cresson Antao, convenor of Goencho Ekvott and panch of Majorda said that the local panchayat was not taken into confidence by the South Western Railway on the doubling of railway tracks project. SWR also wants to turn Majorda as a main junction of the Hospet to MPT route so that they can transport the coal to Maharashtra and also to Karnataka.
He also expressed unhappiness over the government and the local MLA not supporting and participating in this movement. He also mentioned that this is a complete apolitical movement. Antao also questioned if the people don't want the doubling of railway tracks then why is the government adamant on bringing this project?
Dr Mariano Godinho said the doubling of railway tracks from which the coal transportation will happen will spoil the health of the people. The coal pollution will infect the lungs making it weak. The coal dust will settle in the lungs which will further make people ill with respiratory issues and in some cases deadly diseases. The Government is not concerned about what people want.
In the initial days of Coronavirus outbreak at Mangor Hill, people from Vasco had demanded a lockdown but the Government neglected it and this led to outspread of the infection. Dr Godinho also opined that the tourists won’t come to Goa due to coal pollution. We must fight against this project and stand up for our next generation as the coal pollution will also going to bring problems to pregnant women, newborn babies.
Dolwyn Braganza, a youth from Majorda also questioned why the Government is trying to press the doubling of railway tracks on the people of Goa. She said that we as citizens of India have got the right to live a healthy life. If this is so, then why is the Government so keen on a double-tracking project when a huge number of people across Goa from all age groups are collectively opposing this project.
She also added that the people should unitedly oppose this project.
“Even the United Nations has agreed on the right to a healthy life and nobody can take away this right from us,” Braganza added.
SERAULIM
Nelly Rodrigues, former chairperson of South Goa Zilla Parishad said that Seraulim villagers and the people are opposing the double-tracking project from which the coal transportation is going to take place. It is going to destroy agriculture, health and tourism. She also mentioned that she is with the movement and with the people who are opposing this double-tracking project.
Vincent Fernandes from Seraulim said that if the doubling of tracks happens then the frequency and the speedy traffic of trains will increase. This will also lead to noise pollution. He said that the government should give correct information to the people. And the elected representatives should do what people want and not what they please to do.
Kevin D’Souza, panch of Seraulim said that this movement is an awareness campaign. Efforts are being seen to destroy Goa slowly. With the railway tracks coming in, the intensity of the trains has increased many folds. One more track will bring in over 180 trains.
CHANDOR
The Village Panchayat of Chandor-Cavorim also stood firm on opposing the doubling of SWR railway tracks on the Independence Day. Panchayat members including Sarpanch Edward D’Silva, Deputy Sarpanch Arlington Tereza, Panch Members Celine Furtado, Joseph Pereira, Mafaldine and Derrick Braganza Pereira, who were present during the flag hoisting also showed their support to the movement opposing the doubling of railway tracks which will be mostly used for coal transportation.
The village panchayat went a step ahead and took a resolution on the Independence Day strongly opposing the coal and doubling of railway tracks.
DHARBANDORA TALUKA COLLEM
Naresh Shigaonkar from Shigao Collem area who had come to oppose the double-track project said that the doubling of tracks project will hamper the biodiversity of the Collem area. It is only going to benefit one or two businessmen families at the cost of the lives of the common people from Goa. He also mentioned that the village panchayat has asked in its written letter to the concerned Railway Board and authorities to inform us in details about the project. The State Biodiversity Board also sought information from the railways but they neglected it. “We have not been taken into confidence and this project will bring more harm to the biodiversity of the villages, therefore, we are opposing it,” said Shigaonkar.
Tribolo Souza, from Collem said that as a conservationist, he is opposing this project because this project is going to disturb the balance of flora and fauna and the natural habitat of the birds and animals. The majestic Dudhsagar Waterfall is also going to get disturbed with this double-track. There are hundreds of family members who are dependent on the tourism-related to the Dudhsagar and if this project of double-tracking comes then they will surely lose their livelihood. Mass deforestation of trees will take place which will also create long term problems. “I feel Goa doesn’t need such a destructive project,” he added.