MARGAO
Civil society groups, right from Bhoma to Cancona, and Vasco to Khandepar and Xelvon in Quepem turned up at the Lohia Maidan, Margao not just to oppose coal, but to stage protests against controversial projects in their respective villages and towns.
Armed with banners and placards, members of the civil society from these villages took to the stage to voice their concern over coal hub and to oppose the projects in their backyards.
Each of the groups took out a parade with banner before going on the stage and sending a message loud and clear to the government to stop destruction of environment and their habitat.
The group from Bhoma was the first to take the state as they thanked the people of Goa for extending their support to their agitation against the Highway expansion in the last three years.
Loutolim farmers also turned up in large numbers as they vowed to save khazan fields and opposed the construction of the new high level Borim bridge.
The group from Chandor and Guirdlim, the epicentre of the anti-coal agitation, sent out a message that they are opposed to any plans to make Chandor railway station a coal hub, making it clear that coal is a threat the village heritage and their very future.
Civil society groups from Raia, Rachol, Sao Jose De Areal, Borim, Durbhat-Ponda, Usgao-Khandepar and Savoi-Verem also joined the parade to oppose coal and the proposed steel plants.
Civil society groups from Betalbatim, Seraulim, Arossim, Cansaulim, Cortalim, Vasco highlighted through placards have coal and coal dust have life miserable for the residents.
The group from Agasaim, Mandur, Goa Velha, Azossim, Carambolim and Corlim sent out a strong message that they will oppose any plan to make Neura as a coal storage hub.
Groups of Mirabag and Xelvona also joined the parade to send across a message that they are opposed to the 50MLD bhandara and the loading and unloading jetty respectively.
