Goans go ‘Ekvott’ to launch pan Goa fast track protest against double tracking

MAJORDA: In a major boost to the voice of the people against development, which do not have people as its focus, 23 organisations, NGOs, social groups, concerned citizens from across Goa have come together to form a peoples’ group Goencho Ekvott (GE) to oppose the destructive double-tracking of railways from Hospet to Vasco-da-Gama. The civil society members have warned the government of intensifying the agitation if doubling of railway track project is not scrapped. 

In a statement issued, the newly-formed group said that more groups and associations are likely to extend their support in this struggle to save Goa, its villages from this ill-conceived idea. The members unanimously elected Creson Antao from Majorda as the Convenor of GE.

Antao emphasised that the fight to stop the double-tracking will be across villages and the issue will be settled once and for all. The organisation got a shot in the arm when a leading citizen’s group Goencho Avaaz (GA) along with their allied organisations and supporters extended wholehearted support to Goencho Ekvott and promised all-out efforts to get the double-tracking project derailed. This mobilisation will expand to other projects affecting ecology, wildlife and rivers.

Further, GE stated in its press release that the executive member of Ekvott Capt Francis Gouviea claimed that the double-tracking is a conspiracy of the coal mafia and the politicians who are on the payroll of the crony capitalists and is only meant to benefit a few industrialists.

Another member Jose Vaz from Saligao said that too much damage has been inflicted on the State and it is time to stand up and say no to such destruction in the name of development.  The newly-formed executive team was all charged up and pledged to carry on this fight for the protection and preservation of the State for future generations. The organisation has chalked out awareness programmes as well as protest meets and these will be undertaken in association with various organisations who have extended support.

Orville Dourado Rodrigues from Velsao, who has been instrumental in starting the movement and getting various people onboard, said that scrutiny of documents obtained from government agencies and departments revealed the plans of the government to undertake the double tracking with the sole aim of transporting coal from Mormugao to industries based in Karnataka and Maharashtra. 

The estimated requirement of coal by 2030 for these companies is approximately 136 million MTPA, out of which the target of 51 million MTPA is to be met via railways, for which this double tracking is to be done on a fast track, and hence they are trying to convert Goa into a coal corridor. 

Goencho Ekvott has appealed to the government and the railway authorities to continue using the existing railway route in the east coast for transporting the coal and instead undertake the rail expansion in those states.

Captain Viritato Fernandes of Goencho Avaaz said that coal will come from Australia to Paradeep and then to Mormugao. It saves the companies transporting this coal almost Rs 40 per metric tonne through this route. “Calculate this over 136 million MTPA and you realize how much they will save”, he said

Further, Dixon Vaz from Cavelossim said that with the ban on mining, and no vision in reviving agriculture or any other sectors, the only industry that was holding the economy together and providing jobs to thousands of people is the tourism industry, which too has been badly affected due to the COVID-19 pandemic. And with this huge quantity of coal planned to be transported through Goa as a corridor, it will sound the death knell of the tourism sector. And the surprising and sad part is that the authorities are trying to take advantage of the difficult situation prevailing due to the coronavirus and trying to push through with the hope that the people will not come out on the streets and oppose the destruction.

Jose Lourenco from Velim, a long time member of the Konkani Bhasha Mandal said that the organisation will once again appeal to all the MLAs, MPs as well as various political parties to oppose this double-tracking of the railway lines, be it on the floor of the Assembly or by submitting memorandums to the government to scrap the proposed plan of double-tracking. If our demand to scrap the plan is not fulfilled, we will be forced to intensify the protests through various democratic means and if the same is not agreed upon, the government will be wholly responsible for the consequences.