PANJIM: Residents of Assolda and Xelvona from Quepem protested at Goa Pollution Control Board (GSPC) in Panjim against permission given for a rail freight terminal to handle coal and iron ore handling in the village.
Villagers opposed the proposed rail terminal citing pollution and that at about a distance of 30 meters there are residences, school, river, fields and forest. More than 300 residents of Xelvona and Assolda were present for the peaceful protest which was followed by a hearing by GSPCB officials.
GSPC has given a provisional environment clearance to the terminal, however, villagers have demanded that it be revoked in public interest.
Assolda Sarpanch Dayanand Naik said the panchayat, through a special gram sabha, resolved to oppose the train terminal in the village and conveyed this to the government and the GSPCB. He said the villagers have also filed a suit before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) Pune and a hearing has been fixed on August 3.
