Vasco: At a public awareness meeting organised in Nagoa on Friday evening by Goencho Ekvott (GE), activists gave a clarion call to Nagoa villagers to join their fight against Coal transportation and draconian mega projects, which they said will harm Goa’s nature in long run.
GE convenor, Creson Antao said their apolitical group was formed to be the voice of the people against the draconian projects, which are against people and Goa’s nature. He continued that this meeting was being convened to showcase why they are opposing the three mega projects, which he said the government wants to force onto the people.
Antao further urged locals to oppose these projects and support their group for the sake of their future generation.
Another speaker at the meeting, Xencor Polgi, from Headland Sada shared his personal experience pointing out that people who live in his and surrounding areas are experiencing the disastrous effects of coal.
“I feel people from Vasco and Mormugao area are living under the pressure of politicians. People are facing health problems due to coal. Politicians should not play with the lives of the Goans. I also want to urge Curtorim MLA Alexio Reginaldo Lourenco to come on the streets with his people to oppose coal,” said Polgi.
He also alleged that some politicians for their personal benefits are allowing coal transportation in Mormugao area.
“There is absolutely no need to have double tracking for Goa. When activists, NGOs are coming out on the streets and taking up peoples issue then what are the elected representatives in power doing?,” he said, while giving a call to Goans to join this movement against coal.
Key speaker and Goencho Avaaz co-convenor, Captain Viriato Fernandes, gave a power point presentation on the coal related project and ‘future plans of the ‘crony capitalists’ for Mormugao and 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,” said Fernandes.
He added that it is a clear conspiracy to finish off Goa.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi needs to be stopped from bringing mega projects in Goa. The 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 losses and that time, the berths at MPT were given to Adani. The Sagarmala project is dangerous for the people. The idea of Sagarmala is to connect the major ports and on November, 23 2015, the project was approved by Modi”, he added.
There was also a musical dance performance and skit presentation by the youth of Chicalim Parish against the coal and mega projects coming in Goa.
GE leader Ella Mascarenhas compered the public meeting.
