VASCO: Hundreds of residents of Vasco and surrounding areas gathered in solidarity outside St Andrew's Church, Vasco where a meeting was organised by Goencho Ekvott to create awareness among Goans to oppose the three mega projects in Goa – coal transportation and doubling of railway track, high transmission power line and National Highway widening.
The activists gave a call to the people to strongly oppose coal transportation in Goa and said it’s a now or never situation.
Goencho Ekvott convenor Creson Antao said that recently their group met Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant to discuss about the three mega projects.
He said the CM agreed that the doubling of railway track is for coal transportation and also the people should not oppose high power transmission line.
Antao said the group members explained to the CM that all three projects are linked to coal transportation and will not benefit the people. Antao urged the youth to join the movement and raise their voice against coal transportation.
Custodio Dsouza said, “People want to see which MLA will come first to stop the doubling of railway track. Why our elected representatives are playing games with the locals and for their personal benefits quitely supporting these coal related projects.”
He added that the time will come when people will judge who are on their side. He said he doesn't remember any politician coming to their doorsteps and informing them about the ill-effects of the coal in Mormugao area.
Goencho Avaaz co-convenor Captain Viriato Fernandes said that without a youth revolution there cannot be a change.
In a powerpoint presentation regarding the coal related project and the future plans of the capitalists in Mormugao, he said, “In 2014 after Modi became Prime Minister major projects are being pushed on Goa.”
“We have come on the roads of Mormugao to stop coal transportation. The road expansion, double tracking, river nationalisation etc are being done only to facilitate coal transportation,” Fernandes said.
He said, “it is a clear conspiracy to finish Goa. Goa government is controlled by one private businessman. We have enough coal reserves in India but why is coal being imported from outside? MPT was a profit-making body till 2013. In 2014 after Modi came to power MPT incurred loses, that time the berths at MPT were given to Adani.”
Speaking about MPT he said, “In 2013, 7.5 million tonnes coal came to MPT. After Modi became PM, MPT started going into a loss and later these berths were given to private parties.” He added, “The Sagarmala project approved by the Modi government is dangerous for the people. The idea of Sagarmala is to connect the major ports and rivers.”
“The Major Port Authority Bill has been passed recently and what it means is that the power rests with the MPT. This bill was introduced in March 2020 in Parliament. I would like to thank Sarpanch of Chicalim who took a resolution opposing this bill,” Fernandes added.
Fr Bolmax Pereira parish priest of Chicalim church in his address said, “All these three projects are harmful for the nature of Goa and for the Western Ghats. There will be thousands of trees axed for these projects. What will happen to the local flora and fauna if these projects are forced in these area,” he added.
Jayesh Shetgaonkar, anti-coal activist in his speech said, “Four-lane, widening of road is not required. These projects are not going to benefit Goans but outsider businessmen.”
“Double tracking will ruin Goans lives. It is a high time that politicians supporting peoples agitation should resign and support the cause openly,” he said.
He added, “Locals should come together and teach the politicians supporting the three mega projects a lesson. Centre is trying to manage Goa.”
“If politicians start working for the benefit of the people then God will help them and this will benefit people, and added that Goans will have to be vigilant and alert about their rights.”
The meeting was attended by the panch members from neighbouring panchayats, councillors of Mormugao Municipal Council.