NAVIN JHA/HERALD
VASCO: The ongoing series of investigative reports by Indian Express on ‘coal burying Goa’ published in Goa in partnership with Herald, will give a boosts to the citizens’ battle to get rid of the issue of coal pollution. Besides, this is for the first time that the voice of the citizens who have been demanding a pollution-free life is actually being read/heard in the national capital.
Reactions have been flying thick and fast and many seem happy that the issue has been highlighted is such a forceful manner among those in the corridors of power.
For the ordinary citizens and those who have been fighting to save the future of Goa from coal pollution, coal issues was either a Goa or Vasco-centric problem. But not anymore! After the Indian Express report the issue now has received national and even international attention. Many citizens claim that the detailed in-depth reports have exposed the dark underbelly of present coal handling and transportation operations in the State and brought to light MPT’s macabre plans for the future.
“Excellent report by Indian Express as they have exposed credible first-hand testimony of the gruesome impact on the lives of the Goan people and their environment due to coal handling and transportation. The first report unveiled gross violation of GSPCB consent by a coal handling company. If GSPCB does not act at least now in the face of such credible evidence, I would feel that it has abdicated its responsibility towards Goa’s environment. I demand that consent to all coal handling operations at Mormugao Port be withdrawn immediately” said Vasco-based environmental activist Savio Correia
“The Express expose on the plans to turn Goa into a coal hub and coal corridor with collateral development like double-tracking of railway line, construction of new highways, de-facto privatisation of our major rivers etc raise several questions: For whom is this so-called development? Who are the beneficiaries? At whose and at what cost is it being done? Why haven’t the Goan people been taken into confidence? What will remain of our unique Goan identity? Goa is indeed staring at a bleak future,” he asked.
Vasco-based civil engineer and environmental activist Bharat Kamat said Indian Express and its reporters must be complimented for exposing the opaque and under the table manner in which the government seeks to make Goa a coal hub and coal corridor. They have not shied away from naming and shaming the big corporates involved in vandalising our “sundar, sobit Goem.”
Cansaulim-based medical practitioner Marconi Correia said that the Indian Express article has won the hearts of Goa and Goans by giving importance and highlighting coal issue at national level when others were considered it as a local issue. “The article will definitely have some impact as this would be the first time the leaders sitting in Delhi will understand our problems and we hope that they now take this issue seriously” he said.
Secretary of National Fishworkers’ Forum (NFF) and the joint general secretary of Goenchea Ramponkaranchea Ekvott (GRE), Olencio Simoes said that Indian Express have truly shown the journalism of courage with such in-depth expose of coal in Goa.
“They (Indian Express) have exposed the government’s hidden development which the government proclaimed to be as Goa’s development plan. The efforts of journalist and team should be complimented as till now Goa was only known for good things nationally but now Goa will be also known for the destruction the present government is doing. We feel that government should now stop fooling people and should withdraw the consent given to coal handling agencies for operation” Simoes demanded.
