MARGAO: The statements by Power Minister Sudin Dhavalikar and BJP party workers that ‘double tracking is required in Goa’, was criticised by anti-coal activists, who mocked the minister for the manner in which he was trying to play down their marathon protests against linear projects in Goa like the ongoing double-tracking work.
Dhavalikar and BJP workers made these statements when media persons had asked the South Goa BJP candidate Pallavi Dempo to respond to the people of South Goa protesting against double tracking, but she chose not to reply.
“How can such a statement be made when we know that double tracking is going to throw people out of their homes, people are going to be on the road. How can this be called development when our water bodies and life in them will be destroyed, villagers’ health will be destroyed? Can this be termed as development? Something that is so disastrous that goes totally against the people of the area,” said Alina Saldanha, former Minister and Congress leader, who has been fighting along with Velsao villagers for years now against the double tracking project.
Similarly, members of Goyant Kolso Naka (GKN) and Rainbow Warriors, who have been holding agitations against the project, also slammed the comments made by BJP workers and Dhavalikar.
“During the Supreme Court hearings regarding the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) report rejecting the double tracking project, railway authorities informed the Court that double tracking is for coal. The Supreme Court has made it clear that the government should use existing infrastructure from Krishnapatnam Port on the East Coast. The selection of Pallavi Dempo as a candidate makes it clear that BJP intends to destroy Goa for short-term gains of greedy corporates,” said Abhijit Prabhudesai, Founder of Rainbow Warriors, who was a key figure in the historic Chandor protests against double tracking in November 2020.
“BJP and their bedfellows, like Sudin Dhavalikar, only know to behave like sycophants of their Central Government masters, who have brought these destructive projects, like Railway double-tracking for coal transportation, Tamnar power line, Ports Bill, Sagarmala project, etc. People’s health issues and blackening of Goa, which will eventually destroy tourism, environment, and people’s livelihood are not their concern. They have hoodwinked Goans for too long. This time, they will be taught a lesson by the aggrieved people,” said Felix Furtado, GKN member, who had approached the High Court against the double tracking project.
