Your editorial captioned "Future Growth" on MPT's proposed new berth hit the nail on the head, in addition to summarising the concerns that Vascokars have been raising on the project in the last few years. The first 'avatar' of the project was the '7.2 MMTPA Iron Ore Export Terminal' that was shelved as it could not pass the public hearing test in 2012. The '8 MMTPA Multipurpose Cargo Terminal' now proposed is a similar concept but in a different package, the only commonality being that the projects are proposed on PPP model. Your editorial rightly questioned the probable source of such large quantities earth within Goa for reclaiming 3 lakh square meters; how the material would be transported to site is another question that the project proponents would have to answer.
Mormugao Port has two coal-handling terminals run by private players having installed capacity of 12 MMTPA, and, going by RFQ documents floated by MPT, there is a distinct possibility that the proposed cargo terminal could be used for coal imports as well. The deterioration in ambient air quality standards due to coal handling operations at the port has been a major cause of concern. Another 8 MMTPA of coal imports would be a disaster. Reclamation (equal the size of Vasco town) of the sea west of breakwater could change sea current patterns and littoral drifts causing coastal erosion and accretion upstream, and impact Raj Bhawan, Odxel and Siridao beaches and beyond. National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) reports have expressed concerns on impact of dredging at Mormugao Port on the fragile marine ecosystem and biodiversity in the area. One can only hope that authorities established for environmental protection act in the best interests of the people of Mormugao in particular and Goa in general.
Savio J F Correia, Vasco
Parking a serious problem in Ponda.
With a limited parking space and ever-increasing number of vehicles, traffic congestion has become the order of the day at different spots. It would be appropriate to analyse the existing situation in various locations. First of all, private cars are being parked at the space allotted for two-wheelers.
Vehicles are being parked in ‘no parking’ areas. Especially on Saturdays, devotees visiting the Maruti temple at Varkhandem often halt/ park their vehicles on the road. At upper bazaar too, unloading of materials on the road during weekly bazaar (i.e. Wednesdays and Saturdays) disrupts vehicular traffic to a great extent. It is equally important to note that people visiting the newspaper and flower vendors at the old bus-stand often halt/ park their vehicles on the road. Unless sustained efforts are initiated, it will be extremely difficult to bring the degrading situation under firm control. Open spaces wherever available must be acquired for parking purpose. No doubt, smooth movement of vehicular traffic must be assured at all costs.
Pravin U Sardessai, Adpai
Goans and their cats love fish and both can’t do without it. But then fish has mostly become a luxury because of prohibitive prices. The government’s efforts to sell fish at fair price through mobile vans had provided a small relief to some people but these vans are not seen in many villages now.
The catch by the trawlers, in normal times, is said to be very good. But the problem is that 50 percent of the catch is exported and the bulk of the other half is grabbed by the hotels. The situation calls for the far more serious efforts. The Fisheries Department should pursue its plan to increase the fish catch by the sea cage fishing, etc. It should see, by all means, that sufficient fish is available in the local market at affordable prices so that the people of Goa are not deprived of their staple food “ rice and fish curry.
Rodney de Souza, Assagao
