GKN throws open challenge to CM, offers presentation to MLAs
MARGAO
Disputing the government’s claim that no additional permissions have been granted for coal handling in Goa, Goyant Kollso Naka has said that the MoEF&CC granted Environmental Clearance on January 11, 2023, for doubling the coal handling capacity at Berths 5A and 6A of Mormugao Port by South West Ports Ltd from 7 MTPA to 14 MTPA.
The anti-coal activists have offered to make a presentation to all MLAs and to hold an open debate with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant or his representative at any suitable time. Goyant Kollso Naka has vowed to take this battle to its logical conclusion, when all the demands agreed upon during the Lohia Maidan meeting are fulfilled.
Addressing the media on Wednesday, GKN leader Abhijit Prabhudesai said that construction work for the additional capacity is progressing rapidly at the port, while both the Central and State governments are fully supporting the creation of this massive additional coal-handling capacity of 7 MTPA before the NGT.
“Secondly, a coal-handling jetty is now proposed at Xelvona, which is stalled only due to local protests. The permissions are currently being considered by the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority despite strong objections from local communities, which the Chief Minister is well aware of. Despite the CM’s promises, the jetty proposal has not been dropped, and the deadly threat to residents continues to haunt them,” he said.
He added: “Thirdly, the MoEF&CC has granted Environmental Clearance on July 21, 2025, for the capital dredging of Vasco Bay from 14 metres to a 19-metre draft. This is purely to allow massive cape-size vessels to unload huge quantities of coal at the port, which will turn Vasco and other parts of Goa into a living hell. The Chief Minister is promoting this proposal, fully aware that it will bring colossal amounts of coal into Goa for onward transportation.”
Abhijit said land is being forcibly acquired through cultivated khazan lands at Loutulim to construct a new 60-metre-wide highway and Borim Bridge, with the alignment and design intended solely to serve Mormugao Port. This is recorded in the approval letter of the PWD, wherein the Government of Goa’s reply clearly states that the alignment recommended by the consultant was rejected, and an alignment closest to Mormugao Port was selected arbitrarily—never mind the longer distance for the majority of existing traffic, which is from Ponda to Margao—stating that “Mormugao Port is priority” (for the highway).
He further said that the double tracking of the SWR line is being forcibly imposed by the State government on the residents of Velsao and adjoining villages, even though the Sagarmala Master Plan clearly states that the project is purely meant for coal transportation.
“In fact, this was also admitted before the Supreme Court by the railway authorities while pleading for permissions within protected areas, which were refused by the Court, pointing out that Krishnapatnam Port is a better alternative for coal transportation. Despite the Supreme Court’s orders, and knowing fully well that the double tracking is purely for coal movement, the Chief Minister is misusing the State police and revenue officials against affected and vigilant villagers only to facilitate increased coal transportation by SWR,” he asserted.
Abhijit said that if the Chief Minister really wanted to prevent an increase in coal transportation, he would have dropped the NH-4A and SWR expansion projects in the Mollem National Park and Wildlife Sanctuaries.
He said the Chief Minister’s reluctance to reclaim Goa’s rivers by deleting them from the Schedule of the National Waterways Act and Port limits, and his failure to prohibit capital dredging or coal jetties, has left a sword hanging over Goans. He added that all coal-related projects are stalled only because of public resistance, while the Chief Minister continues to push for increased coal transportation through the State.
“Most shockingly, the Chief Minister publicly supports the Sagarmala Master Plan, which aims to transport over 130 MTPA of coal through Goa, despite knowing this will render the State uninhabitable. His backing of this plan is the root cause of every coal expansion project,” he said.
While thanking the people for attending the historic meeting at Lohia Maidan on Sunday, the anti-coal activists said they were confident that Goans, regardless of their political affiliations, would enthusiastically participate in all future actions initiated by Goyant Kollso Naka.
