MONDAY, MAY 06, 2024
QUEPEM, APRIL 10
Opposition Leader Manohar Parrikar on Tuesday stated that iron and manganese contents have increased drastically in the atmosphere due to the mining activity around the Salaulim project.
He was addressing the gathering at a meeting organized at Curchorem to find a solution over ongoing mining traffic issue.
“If these contents increase to its permissible limit in the future, then we will suffer from various ailments,” said Parrikar.
After hearing views of the people present at the meeting, Parrikar said that completely stopping mining trucks is not a solution to the present problem.
“Apart from going for a long-term solution to the mining truck problem on the road in Quepem, Curchorem and Sanguem, we have to think of immediate solution to the problem,” said Parrikar.
“There should be a limit on mining activity to reduce burden on infrastructure. As one of the measures to reduce traffic jam, no truck should be allowed to park on the road,” he suggested.
With regard to overloading, Parrikar said from April 11 the administration will strictly implement the law and notification.
Sources informed that truck owners and mining contractors at the meeting reportedly tried to create confusion by raising their voice against those opposing mining activities and against those who put forth their views. However, they did not succeed, as the villagers opposing the mining transport outnumbered them.
Addressing the gathering, Curchorem MLA Shyam Saterdekar said the administration has planned a new road for Curchorem and Quepem to ease out mining traffic problem.
Sanguem MLA Meng Gaonkar, Narendra Savoikar, Prakash Velip and other prominent citizens from Quepem and Curchorem attended the meeting.
