PANAJI
Former chief minister Ravi Naik voiced his dissent against the proposed satellite port at Betul that was recently announced by Union Minister of Shipping Nitin Gadkari, stating that "the move was one designed to displace locals."
Addressing a press conference, Naik said that with Pernem and Mormugao already being ‘sold out’ in terms of land, the government is now eyeing Quepem.
“Quepem is already under land pressure, with land being given to ONGC, and a portion has also been acquired for the Defence Expo and exhibitions,” Naik said.
He pointed out that Goa with only 3,702 sq km of area, and with a lot of area as forests and water bodies, the government should seriously ponder "before parcelling out land for big projects."
“Let them study how much land is available in Goa before taking such decisions. The ones to be affected will be fishermen, farmers and other people in these beautiful villages. Big trucks and containers will move through the villages, and hence broader roads will be needed that will in turn lead to destruction of houses,” Naik said.
“The question we have to ask is whether we want this development. For whom is it being done? Which company in particular? This is nothing but a plan to displace Goans,” he claimed.
He added that the government has a similar plan along the Chapora River. Naik, however, lent his support to the plan for dredging the Mandovi and Zuari rivers for creating a system of waterways and jetties along these rivers.
