PAUL CARVALHO
CURCHOREM: The Mining bypass and the Solid Waste Management Plant in the constituency are the two main issues in Curchorem as Goa goes to polls on February 4.
For the last several years all politicians have been garnering votes promising to solve the mining issue but as they say promises remain promises as after coming to power politicians conveniently forget about fulfilling them.
This time also, all the candidates say construction of mining bypass/mining corridor is their top priority. All say they will not allow the proposed Rail Freight Terminal at Assolda-Xelvona to come up in any circumstances.
Another proposed project of Rs 100 crore — Solid Waste Management Facility (SWMF) at Cacora-Curchorem which would be spread across 65,000 sq metres of land and supported by incumbent MLA Nilesh Cabral — is opposed by other three candidates who promise to construct a suitable mini plant with required capacity at the new site away from residential area.
Several people in the constituency lost their lives due to the uncontrolled mining transportation.
Last year in January, a special gram sabha of Assolda-Xelvona-Xic-Xelvona and Hodar village panchayat, unanimously decided to oppose the proposed ‘Rail Freight Terminal’ for handling multi-cargo.
After heated discussion the gram sabha adopted a resolution in the presence of local MLA Cabral opposing the project. The gram sabha decided to approach NGT with an appeal to stay and cancel the provisional NOC given by the Goa State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (GSEIAA).
People were also opposing the solid waste management facility, fearing pollution in the area including destruction of fields as some farmers are totally dependent on farming activities.
“Why do we need mega garbage treatment plant when we hardly collect 10 tonnes of garbage per day,” questioned local residents.
This time there are four official party candidates in the fray, namely sitting MLA Nilesh Cabral (BJP), Rosario (Marathe) Fernandes (INC), Shyam Satardekar (GSM) and James Fernandes (AAP). Three major issues, besides other minor issues which will be dominated during ensuing election, are mining bypass, Solid Waste Management Facility (SWMF) proposed at Kakoda and the proposed Railway Freight Terminal (RFT) at Assolda-Xelvona.
During an informal chat with Cabral and other contesting candidates, Cabral who is contesting for the second time on BJP ticket said that he has done various development activities within five years which people can see.
“I also oppose the RFT and assure to complete the mining bypass road as soon as the new bill of land acquisition is passed in the Rajya Sabha,” said Cabral informing that he “will accept if anyone has a better proposal for the treatment of garbage.”
Former MLA Shyam Satardekar, who won this seat in 2007 on Congress ticket, is contesting on Goa Suraksha Manch (GSM) this time and assures he “will be with the people on the issue of SWMF and RFT projects.”
“Land acquisition for the mining bypass was initiated during my tenure and the land for third phase road could not be acquired due to some technical problems as it is forest land. And no effort has been made after me,” said Satardekar.
Fernandes, contesting as INC candidate, says that people from the panchayat area know his work as he was elected for Xeldem ZP for two terms in 2005 and 2010 and did not contest in 2015 as it was reserved for a women candidate.
“If people elect me, I will give preference to give jobs for the youth not only in government offices but will also help them secure jobs in other parts of India, and also abroad,” said Fernandes.
James Fernandes, resident of Tilamol who has taken VRS as a teacher, is contesting on Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) ticket. He is also a member of Mining Bypass Mission. “I am son of the soil who knows the difficulties of the people and opportunities for people’s development with the vision of human development of Curchorem constituency with people consultations and participation and with administrative skill,” said Fernandes when asked why people should elect him.
