PONDA: Villagers of Amona, Navelim and Bethki-Khandola of Ponda Taluka on Friday protested against the proposed expansion of plant of a mining company at Amona, which they fear would lead to drastic spread of graphite pollution, making their life miserable.
The locals informed that 24 villages would be affected due to pollution after the expansion of the plant.
“The existing plant has already made life miserable and so don’t want new or the expansion of plant. Few people would earn at the cost and suffering of thousands of villagers,” alleged the locals.
The locals also warned that if the expansion work is not stopped then law and order situation would arise and the government would be held responsible. This expansion project is not a job oriented and only few sarpanchas and panchas would get benefits through contracts while rest of the villagers would suffer.
“We don’t want pollution-oriented project in the name of development and employment opportunities,” said the locals.
After National Green Tribunal’s direction, the collector has fixed January 24, as the date for public hearing on the expansion of the plant. However, the expansion work has already begun which the locals have condemned by protesting in front of the company gate with placards and slogans “Stop Pollution, Stop Environment Damage”.
The locals said prior to COVID-19 pandemic, 300 villagers had signed petition against the project. We will not compromise as the project is going to harm the health of people and pollute the surrounding environment.
The locals alleged this is a red category project and should not be permitted.
“We are already suffering due to massive pollution from the existing plant due to spread of graphite released through the existing blast furnace and if new plant comes up we will be in great trouble,” alleged the locals.
The locals further alleged that the graphite pollution is affecting their health. They visit doctors to remove fine particles of graphite from their children’s eyes. The kitchen, gallery, balcony, houses and surrounding trees are covered with graphite pollution. The wells, agriculture, cashew plantation, bagayats and water bodies are affected due to pollution.
Earlier, the villagers had approached the court in 2008 against the pollution. However, despite the court direction, the company failed to control graphite pollution with proper measures. The Goa State Pollution Control Board reports about the pollution caused by the existing plant but not taking any actions.
“We approached Chief Minister Pramod Sawant asking to stop the expansion of the existing plant. This is pollution oriented plant and hence the government should not permit it to protect the health of the locals,” they said.
The locals informed that earlier on two occasions, the public hearing was fixed but first time it was on a holiday which was cancelled after people approached the court while the second time it was during COVID-19 pandemic which too was postponed. Now again due to pandemic, the public hearing is fixed on January 24, at Navelim ground. However, with only 100 people are allowed to participate, the locals say it an injustice and with pandemic still prevailing it should be cancelled.
