Accuses govt of colluding with corporate interests at cost of people's health
VASCO
Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao on Wednesday lashed out at the BJP-led government, alleging that by promoting coal handling and transportation in the State, the “double engine government” was converting Vasco into a “ghost town” after Dabolim airport.
Addressing a press conference in Vasco in the presence of GPCC President Amit Patkar and other party members, Alemao said the ruling dispensation was deceiving Goans with false promises while facilitating coal expansion.
“BJP means double engine, double dhoka, only for khoka,” Alemao quipped, as he accused the government of colluding with corporate interests at the cost of Goa’s environment and people’s health.
He recalled that in 2020, then Environment Minister Nilesh Cabral had assured that coal handling in the state would be capped.
“Yet since then, the Central Government has issued clearances for massive expansion – Berth 6 (JSW) from 5 MMT to 15 MMT, Berth 7 (Adani) for 5 MMT, and more recently, in July 2025, the deepening of the Mormugao port channel specifically for coal ships,” Alemao said.
He added that the Railway Ministry itself, on August 31, admitted that double tracking from Hospet to Vasco was intended to speed up coal, iron ore, and steel transport.
“The contradiction is glaring. The Railway Ministry openly declares it is for coal, but the Chief Minister still claims it is for tourism. Goans deserve clarity, not deception,” he remarked.
“Adani at Berth 7 has another 5 MMT. With Berth 6 expansion to 15 MMT and Adani’s 5 MMT, Goa is staring at a 20 MMT potential capacity. To make matters worse, environmental clearances have also been granted for Berths 8, 9, and the barge berth, which will eventually be diverted to coal, crippling our iron ore export infrastructure,” he warned.
CAP ON COAL
HANDLING
The Opposition leader questioned the State government’s authority to impose any cap on coal handling.
“Now, the chief minister says he will not increase coal. But what is this limit – 5 MMT, 10 MMT, 15 MMT, or 20 MMT? Does the Goa government have any legal authority to cap coal once the Union Government grants environmental clearances? If yes, under which Act? The CM must answer these questions instead of hiding behind vague statements,” Alemao demanded.
He also pointed out that the deepening of the Mormugao Port channel was not for tourism but clearly for coal.
“The EC itself mentions cape-sized ships carrying nearly two lakh tonnes of coal each. Add the new jetties and river projects, and the picture is clear – Goa is being converted into a coal corridor,” Alemao said.
He criticised the government for failing to act against violations.
“No action has been taken against JSW for exceeding its consent. Instead, it has been rewarded with clearances to handle more coal. If violations go unpunished, what credibility does any so-called cap have?” he asked.
Calling it a betrayal of Goans, Alemao added, “This is not a cap on coal. This is ‘Goemkarak topayo’ – taking Goans for a ride while quietly turning our land, rivers, and port into a coal hub for corporate interests.”
