PERNEM: Since the International Mopa Airport was approved to be built on the Mopa plateau of Pernem Taluka in May 2000, objections have been raised by Goans — activists, NGOs and locals who would lose lands. The project had assured jobs to the unemployed and a source of revenue for the State but from day one this project has become a bone of contention and the battle has reached the courts. The recent order of Supreme Court has come as a ray of hope for those opposing it. In a recent order the Environmental Clearance (EC) granted for the Mopa Airport has been suspended by the SC.
Pernem being an agriculture-oriented taluka, almost 90 per cent of its population is involved in farming and cultivation of different crops. The land acquired for the airport project has directly affected almost 15,000 people as the vast plantation of different crops which used to create annual income of Rs 8 crore is stopped and their livelihood is being seriously affected.
The land losers of Mopa have expressed their opposition to the project. A negative wave towards the BJP’s prospects in next Lok Sabha Polls in North Goa has hit the candidate. The locals allege that the BJP MP has failed to stand by their expectations.
The expected after effects of this project has already started impacting the locals residing on this plateau as the ground water level of the natural springs and other sources has decreased. People have already started facing water shortage problem.
Raul, a Mopa local, said, “Due to the airport project our natural water sources on which we are completely dependent on are drying off. The level of water is going down day by day and soon the sources will completely dry up if the project work continues. We have no other source of water because our houses are on high point and the water provided through taps does not reach us”.
Stating that the candidate’s capability is what matters, Sandip Kambali President of the Mopa Vimantalvidit Xetkari Samittee, said, “It’s difficult to say that BJP will come to power in coming LS polls from North since the BJP candidate is Shripad Naik and we do not trust in him anymore. The same goes with Congress as we have no expectations from Girish Chodankar. BJP and Congress have already declared their candidate but we will see if any more candidates are coming up. We will compare their capabilities and vote accordingly otherwise we will go for NOTA”.
Kambali added: “When we had begun this fight against the Mopa airport, our committee had taken signatures of 700 farmers and along with details had submitted a memorandum to AYUSH Minister Shripad Naik. During that time he had promised that he would look into the matter. However, we did not receive any response from him. After a few days we heard Shripad Naik making an announcement that Mopa airport should complete soon.”
Farmers further claimed that as a LS representative, Shripad Naik has completely failed to help them.
People further said that building community halls and temples does not solve people’s problems. “From day one Shripad Naik has only built halls and nothing else. The real issues are left as it is for people to suffer. From day one the BJP government has manipulated the case filed against the Mopa airport and trusting BJP is like calling for trouble,” said another farmer.
When Herald spoke to the 14 families of Dhangar community who are rehabilitated from airport site, they expressed that their living has changed compared to their previous life. The community showed less interest in the LS polls since they only want their demands to be fulfilled.
“We have already lost what we had created in the past so many years. Our agricultural crops have disappeared without we receiving a single penny for the cultivation. We were completely dependent on the plantations. We are now idle and have nothing to do. The area which we owned before was huge compared to what we are given now after displacement. Now it doesn’t matter whether BJP comes to power or any other we have no role play now”, the Dhangars said.
“One person from each family is given a job. However, many things which used help us live a healthy live have gone from our hands. There is no land to cultivate crop. Our plantations used to help us avoid external expenses. Now our lives are completely depending on earning of one person”, they added.
“We are rehabilitated to this place in new houses but the houses are not on our names as we have not received any ownership documents. There is no proper water supply system here. Since we have no other choice of moving out now, we want the government to give us the ownership documents and fulfil our remaining needs. There are around 50 voters in 14 families and total population is 80,” they added.
