Since ruling party politicians are silent, are people's protest the only way forward to save Goa?

Street voices

Protest against Bhutani Infra on SundayHerald Pic

Published on:

23 Sep 2024, 2:56 pm

Currently the state is facing severe threats of environmental destruction and the people of Goa have taken to the streets to stop the illegalities. Whereas the government has turned a blind eye and remained silent. In the past, such illegalities have been stopped by the people through protests. In this edition of Street Voices, Herald TV spoke to various people asking if the people's protest was the only way forward to save Goa, since ruling party politicians are silent.

Those who were in power earlier, have given the permissions and now they have changed sides and they are in power. They have sold the land and they have given the permissions. How will they oppose such projects. So Goans need to come out and they have already started doing so. There was a candlelight protest at Sancoale, there was a protest at Old Goa. More Goans will come out and unless Goans come out nothing will change.

Francis Coelho

If Goa has to be saved, people have to come out in large numbers. We can’t depend on politicians. We trust and elect them, but they do not perform their duty. Because no one questions them, they just don’t bother. Many Opposition MLAs are fighting, but Opposition should be more vociferous and apply more pressure. Many of the ruling MLAs have crossed over to protect their illegalities and BJP has protected them. CM says the permissions to Bhutani were given earlier, but the permissions were given to MTech not to Bhutani. How can they extend the permissions?

Vincent D'Silva

There is need for all people to come out on the streets. The government, most of the MLAs and the minister, their business is sale of land…..to sell Goa. So that they can make huge profits they are undertaking these illegalities. Only solution for people is to come out on the streets and save Goa. If in a holy place such as Old Goa if there are 1.5 lakh sqm conversions, what else is left? Old Goa is the only UNESCO heritage site. It is a major site which attracts tourism. If they want to destroy Old Goa, what kind of a government is this?

Peter Veigas

There is so much hill cutting and destruction and new constructions are coming up. Goa’s heritage is getting destroyed. This will only stop if people come out in large numbers. Even earlier people have come out on the streets and stopped projects. Without people’s support nothing can happen. So I request all to come forward and oppose these projects. We don’t want another Kerala like situation with floods and landslides.

Jacqueline Fernandes