PANAJI
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders Amit Palekar, Sandesh Telekar Dessai, and Sunil Loran strongly condemned the BJP government’s push for the railway double tracking project in Goa and termed it a fraud designed solely for corporate profit at the cost of Goans’ health, the environment, and the economy.
“It is purely for coal transportation, with the BJP and Goa CM showing no courage to stop it,” Palekar said.
The AAP leaders warned of serious consequences if the project continues, citing the destruction of heritage houses and villages and the potential coal dust pollution, which will pose a severe public health crisis.
They also said that due to environmental degradation, tourism would be affected and wildlife disrupted, besides local communities being displaced.
“Tourists will stop coming, businesses will collapse, and Goans’ health is already suffering from coal dust pollution,” they claimed.
Local communities fear a loss of property and are already suffering from the effects of coal dust, they added.
“The government’s plan to move 45 million metric tonnes of coal will destroy Goa’s economy and its environment,” said Telekar Dessai.
AAP’s Vasco leader Loran said the Mormugao Port Trust (MPT), which was once the economic lifeline of Mormugao, has now been largely privatised, leaving workers and small businesses in Vasco in distress.
“Vasco got nothing in return. There is unemployment, no tourism, no new industries. Instead, jetties are being built to push coal into every corner of Goa. Is this development?” Loran questioned.
He warned that cruise tourism and other industries would fail if coal expansion continues.
“This is not just Vasco’s fight. Every Goan must stand up. Don’t mess with Goa, or the people will be forced to protest,” warned Loran.
AAP said that since Goa is largely a tourism state, it must prioritise sustainable development, heritage conservation, and the promotion of clean industries over coal and pollution.
AAP demanded an immediate halt to double tracking, coal expansion, and corporate-driven projects that threaten Goa’s people, economy, and environment, Palekar said.
