Debates on the three linear projects, including the raging double-tracking, finally echoed in the hallowed precincts of the Goa Legislative Assembly on the concluding day of the session. Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai moved a resolution and made an emotional plea to the government to reject the controversial projects. Legislators cutting across party lines made fervent appeals to reconsider the State's decision. Alina Saldanha, Reginaldo Lourenco, Rohan Khaunte, Digambar Kamat, Clafacio Dias, Luizinho Faleiro, Sudin Dhavalikar, Deepak Pauskar, Wilfred D’Sa and others argued on the need to protect the pristine glory of Goa, and safeguard the lives of people of the land.
Even as the House was debating over double-tracking, the Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd was chugging along with the work on the line with man and machinery going about the job, unmindful of what Goa's lawmakers would decide. Ironically, even before the debate could echo in the Assembly, the Railways have already completed over 75 per cent of the trackwork and are eying for piecemeal trial runs.
Inside the Legislative Assembly, there was poetry, metaphors and flashbacks highlighting the risks to human life and the threat to ecology and environment. The motive of double-tracking was questioned and the angst was visible. Fierce arguments questioning Environmental Impact Assessment and the undue haste shown by the Pramod Sawant government to bulldoze through the track when former chief minister Manohar Parrikar's resolve to oppose double-tracking during his tenure were testimony that the primary fear was about enhanced coal transportation.
The session was undoubtedly intense, but somewhere legislators failed to evaluate the ground situation and seek answers on critical questions. Although the resolution doesn't speak a word opposing coal expansion, not a single legislator stood up to ask the CM to explain on the floor of the House how his government plans to execute curbs on MPT's coal handling capacity to the tune of fifty per cent, when statistics suggest that the quantum has shown a steady rise over the years. Not a single legislator questioned the CM on how the MPT was allowed enhanced handling of coal even overlooking the plight of the residents of Vasco who were grappling with coal dust pollution. Nobody questioned the CM on the figure shown in the Sagarmala project document of 137 million tonnes of coal per annum in stark contrast to the pitch of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reduce carbon footprints.
The line is drawn on the floor of the House, but the question is whether legislators are ready to walk their talk. If the government refuses to budge, are MLAs aligned to the BJP ready to accept defeat in safeguarding the interest of Goa and the people, and resign? Will legislators impress upon the torch-bearers of development that the people of the State have to be active partners in this process. Or will the speeches made in the House be a wasted exercise aimed at only stirring up public sentiments. Time will tell.
