CURTORIM: South Goa Congress Candidate Captain Viriato Fernandes criticised the Central and State governments for their intentions to usurp power and control over Goa’s coastline through the proposed Indian Ports Bill. Addressing a gathering in Curtorim on Friday, Fernandes accused the BJP of keeping the Bill under wraps until the Lok Sabha elections conclude, to avoid public scrutiny.
Fernandes highlighted the transformation of Mormugao Port Trust into Mormugao Port Authority (MPA), which expanded its control over Goa’s coastline. “Goans have always considered our vast coastline as ours. However, once this new Bill is passed, residents living by the coast and wanting to build houses will have to seek permissions from the MPA instead of local panchayats or municipalities,” he said.
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The Congress candidate emphasised that the State government should have control over the coast, not the Centre or MPA. He recalled how Goa’s rivers were nationalised during Laxmikant Parsekar’s tenure as BJP Chief Minister in 2016, granting control to the Centre. “We will demand an amendment to remove MPA’s control over Goa’s coast and give back the State’s control over our rivers,” Fernandes added.
He expressed that if Goa fails to oppose this move, the ‘Gujarat model’ would be imposed, indirectly hinting at the privatisation superseding local interests regarding Goa’s rivers, coast, and Mormugao port.
Furthermore, Fernandes expressed concerns about Goa losing Dabolim airport, which would adversely affect small businesses relying on the airport’s operations. He accused the Centre of disregarding the declining condition of Dabolim airport.
