PORVORIM
Anti-coal protests reached outside the seat of power when ‘Goyant Kolso Naka’ (GKN) agitators staged demonstrations in front of the Assembly Complex in Porvorim on Wednesday and threatened to intensify their agitation.
Several like-minded NGOs also joined in the demonstration, while a strong police force was stationed to avoid disruption of traffic on the NH66 highway near the Secretariat.
GKN Convenor Antonio D’Silva later submitted to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant a memorandum endorsed by 161 NGOs putting forth a number of demands.
The demands included stopping coal handling at MPT and transportation through Goa, scrapping the double-tracking of SWR and land acquisition proceedings, scrapping all MPT expansion projects, scrapping Betul Port and converting MPT into a port for green cargo and cruise tourism.
Other demands include cancellation of all forest and wildlife clearances granted in Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife sanctuary and Mollem National Park for the 3 linear projects, scrapping Sagarmala Master Plan, delisting 6 Goan rivers from NW Act 2016, stopping of river dredging and withdrawing proposed jetties and retaining autonomy of the local communities over the coasts and rivers under Major Port Authority Bill 2020.
In the memorandum, GKN claimed that on one the side, the government has been assuring that it would no allow increase of coal handling in Goa and would reduce coal transportation, while on the other hand they are going ahead with the double-tracking of SWR.
Alleging that the government has issued fresh notification for land acquisition for the double-tracking thereby indicating its real intentions, GKN said the government should have cancelled the 400 KV transmission lines project as it was totally unnecessary and wastage of over Rs 2,000 crore of public fund.
Accusing the State government of having failed to respond to their demands despite several representation and protests, the GKN said they have been compelled to intensify their agitation to protect the interest of the State, their communities and the future generations.
Addressing a gathering, Abhijit Prabhudessai and Vikas Bhagat reiterated their demands to stop the work to lay the double-track, cancel all coal transportation and scrapping of 400 KV transmission lines project.
