PANAJI
Residents at the Assolda Gram Sabha on Sunday strongly opposed a proposed jetty in the village for the purpose of transporting coal.
At a largely attended Gram Sabha, residents also passed a resolution not to issue further NOCs for any jetty in the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) area and to ensure strict compliance with the orders of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and other courts.
The villagers also expressed their anger against hill-cutting activity for the construction of a wide road for the jetty project. They highlighted the environmental destruction and public health hazards that such developments can cause.
Highlighting the concerns of the villagers, Aditya Dessai mentioned that the people of Assolda have united to oppose the jetty and the road-widening project.
“This jetty, which is planned to transport coal, will endanger the health of our community and cause serious air pollution. We cannot let Asolda face a crisis and coal transport will be a disaster for our environment and future generations,” said Dessai.
Assolda Sarpanch Custodio Fernandes said all seven members of the Assolda Panchayat are against the proposed project and added that local MLA Nilesh Cabral has pledged his support to the people.
Former sarpanch Manoj Naik said the residents have demonstrated their complete opposition to this project.
“We are not going against the government but we do not want our people to suffer,” said Naik.
