CURCHOREM: With the agitation for the mining bypass gaining strength and having stretched for weeks, Director of Mines and Geology Prasanna Acharya held a meeting with a delegation of Mission Bypass, where he appealed to them to call off their protests.
Acharya stated that the government has taken steps to ensure the safety of people from speeding trucks and has realized the sentiments of the people behind launching the agitation.
Regarding their demands, he assured that the speed limit of the trucks will be set at 40 kms per hour and only five trucks will be allowed to run with a gap of five minutes.
He pointed out that the ore transportation is legal and should not be stopped, but agreed with the peoples’ demand that steps had to be taken to prevent the ore transportation from disturbing the life of the common man.
While acknowledging that the Mission Bypass agitation was a peaceful one, he explained that the acquisition of land coming under forest area is very complicated, but the government will take up the issue on priority.”
“Anybody can procure data of the steps taken by the government with respect to regularisation of ore traffic in Goa from the office of the Mines Department. There is no need for the people to come onto the roads. The issue can be solved through suggestions and dialogue with the government,” said Acharya.
Meanwhile, Mission Bypass convenor Pradip Kakodkar stated, “The ‘Chanakya Neeti’ being adopted by the government will not deter us. The question is of the peaceful living of the common man, which is his constitutional right. We shall not be misled by empty assurances, and our agitation will continue till our demand is met.”
The protestors submitted a copy of a memorandum, which was addressed to the South Collector, to the office of Quepem Dy Collector Shankar Gaonkar.
