South Goa MP to boycott opening of covered dome for coal handling

MARGAO

South Goa MP Captain Viriato Fernandes has decided to boycott the inauguration of the covered dome for coal handling and commencement of commercial operations at Berths 10 & 11 of the Mormugao Port Authority scheduled on Wednesday at the hands of Vice-President of India Jagdeep Dhankhar.

Instead, the South Goa MP, who has been waging a sustained battle along with the Civil society to stop Goa from being converted into a coal hub, has dashed off a letter to the Vice-president, drawing his attention to what he termed as the harsh realities on the ground.

In his letter, Viriato pointed out that the MPA, in collusion with private commercial interests, appears to be exploiting the visit of the  Vice President of India to validate development activities that are catastrophically impacting Goa and its people. “This, in my considered opinion, is a great disservice and dishonour to the revered constitutional position you hold”, he said.

He added: “I fear you may not be fully aware of the immense difficulties Goans now face since the transition from Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) to the MPA. Beyond the alarming loss of state control over our precious coastal and riverine lands, there is a growing apprehension that this transformation is a strategic step towards cementing Goa's envisioned role as a coal transportation hub, thereby jeopardizing our environmental future”.

While the MPT historically supported Goa's iron ore exports, and provided substantial employment opportunities for Goan families, he said the newly structured MPA has ushered in a devastatingly uncertain and dismal future.

“Handling and transportation of coal through the port—primarily serving corporate giants like Adani, Vedanta, and JSW—has created a public health crisis and environmental nightmare for local communities. Distressed residents in the vicinity, suffer from alarming increases in respiratory conditions, painful skin disorders, and persistent eye irritation due to pervasive coal dust and dangerous particulate matter”, he said.

He added: “Our most vulnerable citizens—innocent children and the elderly —bear the heaviest burden of these serious and growing public health concerns. Toxic coal dust from inadequately protected storage and transportation infiltrates nearby habitats (Vasco, Baina, and Sada), poisoning the air, polluting homes, and destroying once-fertile agricultural land”.

Viriato said the needless double tracking being bulldozed in Velsao village solely to facilitate coal transportation, has kept concerned and affected villagers in a state of permanent stress and anxiety as RVNL flouts Court stay orders and in connivance with the State government, blocks access to their homes without even bothering to acquire the land.

“Aggressive expansion projects, including destructive dredging and berthing, are decimating vital marine biodiversity in the precious Zuari and Mandovi river estuaries. The port's encroachment upon Mormugao bay—a treasured sanctuary of coral and diverse marine life—threatens to irreversibly damage these fragile and irreplaceable ecosystems”, he said.

The MP added: “Desperate traditional fishermen (Ramponkars) report that port expansion and intrusive dredging have devastated fish populations, severely threatening their ancestral way of life and economic survival.

Saying that Goan citizens feel profoundly betrayed as the MPA port project has been ruthlessly implemented without meaningful local consultation or proper environmental safeguards, the MP said Goa's internationally renowned identity as a pristine, idyllic beach destination is being systematically destroyed by this inappropriate industrial activity.

He further said the proposed multi-modal corridors (railways, highways, and transmission lines) cutting through protected natural treasures (Mollem, Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary) represent an extension of environmentally irresponsible port logistics.

“These ill-conceived projects have catalysed widespread protests against the unconscionable deforestation, critical habitat destruction, and community displacement they would cause.

As South Goa’s Member of Parliament, you will surely understand that I can under no circumstances be part of an event celebrating the destruction of the people I represent and my beloved state. Hence regrettably, I will not be in a position to attend MPA’s inaugural event”, he stated in his letter.