PANJIM: Mormugao constituency has a major port contributing to the growth of maritime trade in the country but today residents are vehemently opposing the coal transportation as it was causing pollution.
The residents of Mormugao have been complaining that transportation of coal is causing pollution and fear that it could lead to health problems. Being at the tail end, the Mormugao residents also face erratic water supply from Selaulim water treatment plant.
The residents under the banner of ‘Goyant Kollso Naka,’ started a people’s movement to stop coal transportation and laying of railway double track in the State. The residents also complain that movement of good trains mostly transporting coal during night is also adding to noise pollution.
The closure of mining activity has also caused social tensions as many youth have been retrenched by various companies involved in the export of iron ore.
RTI activist Damodar Divkar said that the residents of Mormugao constituency have been opposing coal transportation which is for private profits at the cost of people’s health. He said that after the closure of mining activities the Mormugao port looked at other options and started coal transportation besides, containers and passenger ships calling at the port.
Divkar said that every monsoon the Sada residents face garbage menace as it is not treated properly. “We receive irregular water supply and water is released hardly for one hour. We also need a full-fledged health centre as during emergency people visit the nearest sub hospital at Chicalim, which is about 10-km away,” he said.
Divkar said that the Mormugao Fort and the Viceregal Palace situated near the Mormugao Harbour need urgent attention and should be preserved.
